Belgian Police Raid Antwerp Mohels Investigating Illegal Circumcisions

Belgian police conducted raids on several Jewish homes in Antwerp as part of an investigation into illegal ritual circumcisions performed by unlicensed mohels, sparking significant concern and condemnation within the Jewish community. The investigation was prompted by a complaint from within the Jewish community about circumcisions being carried out without necessary medical training, which violates Belgian law requiring such procedures to be performed by licensed medical professionals. No arrests were made, but police seized circumcision instruments and requested records of recent circumcisions, leading to fears of religious freedom violations and antisemitism. Jewish leaders and organizations, including the European Jewish Association and the Conference of European Rabbis, condemned the raids as an assault on religious traditions and called for emergency legislation to protect circumcision as a religious practice. Belgian Orthodox Jewish lawmaker Michael Freilich emphasized the need for clearer laws and potential EU certification for mohels to reconcile religious practices with medical regulations. The incident highlights the tension between respecting religious customs and enforcing medical standards, with calls for dialogue and legislative solutions to prevent further escalation.