Belgium summons US envoy over ‘unacceptable’ anti-Semitism claims
Belgium has summoned US Ambassador Bill White after he accused the authorities of harassing the Jewish community.
In a post on X on Monday, White called on Belgium to drop the prosecution of three mohels – Jewish religious figures who perform circumcisions – suspected of carrying out the procedures in Antwerp without a medical license.
“Stop this unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community here in Antwerp and in Belgium,” White wrote, adding that the mohels were “doing what they have been trained to do for thousands of years.”
White also accused Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke of being “very rude” and refusing to shake his hand or pose for a photograph during their first meeting. “It was clear that you dislike America,” White wrote.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot condemned White’s remarks. “Any suggestion that Belgium is antisemitic is false, offensive, and unacceptable. Belgium condemns antisemitism with the greatest firmness,” Prevot wrote on X.
“Personal attacks against a Belgian minister and interference in judicial matters violate basic diplomatic norms,” he added. Prevot noted that under Belgian law only qualified physicians are permitted to perform circumcisions and said he would refrain from commenting on the specific case.
White told reporters on Tuesday that there was “no need for an apology” on his part and expressed hope that Belgium would “legalize this process so these individuals can resume their lives.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar backed White, citing what he described as “a sharp and consecutive rise in antisemitic attacks in Belgium.” He urged Prevot to “take a hard look in that mirror and acknowledge reality.”
In response, Prevot warned against “the inflationary use of the term antisemitism” and rejected claims of widespread anti-Jewish sentiment in Belgium.
