European
Jewish
Association
The Jewish voice of Europe.
Belgium's Circumcision Case Could Determine the Future of Jewish Life in Europe
Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders, medical experts and senior EU officials warn Belgium risks setting a dangerous precedent for religious freedom in Europe
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, The European Jewish Association (EJA) convened an emergency conference in Brussels amid ongoing legal proceedings against Jewish religious circumcision practitioners in Belgium, warning that the case could become a defining test of religious freedom, minority rights and the future of Jewish life across Europe.
At the conference convened with the input and expertise of Belgian MP Michael Freilich, the EJA’s Special Diplomatic Envoy for Intercultural Dialogue and Holocaust Remembrance, the Association unveiled a new position paper setting out the fundamental democratic choice being faced by Belgium: whether a religious practice observed safely by Jewish and Muslim communities for centuries should face criminal prosecution. The physicians and scientists who participated in the conference are clear: there is no evidence of increased harm and the rate of complications associated with ritual circumcision is substantially lower than the rate of complications reported among infants circumcised by physicians in hospital settings.
The paper therefore calls for legal certainty, recognition of trained practitioners, appropriate safeguards and standards, and dialogue rather than criminalisation.
Opening the conference, EJA Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin said:
“This is not really a debate about circumcision. It is a debate about the limits of freedom in Europe. The real question is whether democracies protect minority rights only when they are convenient, or whether they protect them when they are challenged. What happens in Belgium will be watched far beyond Belgium.” He added: “For Jews, circumcision is not simply a medical procedure. It is one of the foundations of Jewish life and identity.
“Decisions on circumcision are being taken, without the facts, without proper discussion and without the proper weighing of the evidence of what is, fundamentally, a minor medical procedure. This conference today seeks to fill this knowledge gap. Above all, governments must be properly informed to protect the right of Jews to live as Jews.”
As part of filling the knowledge gap, the conference heard evidence from leading medical experts challenging claims that religious circumcision constitutes a public health concern. Dr. Michael Ben Akon, Director of Pediatric Department Laniado Hospital, Member of Israel’s Ministry of Health Committee for the Certification of Mohalim noted that an estimated two billion men worldwide have undergone circumcision and pointed to extensive international medical data showing extremely low complication rates. Published literature places overall complication rates at below 0.4%, with infection rates of less than 0.06%. Data presented from Israel showed that among more than 70,000–75,000 circumcisions performed annually, only 35 complications were reported in 2018, representing an incidence rate of approximately 0.5 cases per 1,000 procedures.
Dr. Ben Akon further noted that approximately 70% of circumcisions in Israel are performed by certified religious practitioners, operating within a rigorous training, examination and oversight system jointly supervised by the Chief Rabbinate and the Ministry of Health.
Dr Barmoshe, a senior urologist in Belgium, and Dr Nuphar Veiga a senior Biomedical expert at Leuven University both highlighted research linking circumcision to significantly lower rates of urinary tract infections, certain cancers and some sexually transmitted infections, arguing that the available evidence does not support the characterization of religious circumcision as a significant public health problem
The significance of the gathering was underscored by a message from European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi, who reaffirmed the European Commission’s commitment to protecting Jewish life and traditions across Europe.“Jewish life belongs in Europe. Jewish tradition belongs in Europe,” Várhelyi wrote in a message to participants.He added that Jewish communities must be able to practice their faith in security, dignity and freedom, with their religious traditions fully respected.
A central feature of the conference was an interfaith panel featuring Dutch Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs, Chairman of EJA’s Committee Against Antisemitism, Imam Nordine Taouil, President of RMG Muslim Scholars of Belgium, and Rev. Rik Hoet, Episcopal Vicar for Ecumenical Dialogue and President of the Belgian Catholic Commission for Dialogue with Judaism. Despite representing different faith traditions, all three speakers delivered a united message that circumcision is a core religious practice for both Jewish and Muslim communities and that democratic societies must protect the ability of minorities to practice their faith freely. The panel warned that restricting longstanding religious traditions would set a troubling precedent not only for Jews and Muslims, but for religious freedom and social cohesion across Europe.
The conference also heard from Belgian political and legal figures, including MP Jinnih Beels, constitutional scholar Prof. Rik Torfs, former Antwerp Alderman André Gantman and legal expert Ralph Pais, who argued that the debate should be viewed through the broader framework of constitutional rights and democratic freedoms. Speakers stressed that freedom of religion includes the right to practice one’s faith, that fundamental rights should not be ranked against one another, and that the role of policymakers is to reconcile children’s rights, parental rights and religious freedom rather than treating them as mutually exclusive. Several warned that allowing courts or politicians to redefine essential religious practices would set a dangerous precedent for minority communities throughout Europe.
European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life Katharina von Schnurbein addressing the conference said:
“The European Commission is aware that circumcision is one of the most important traditions for Jews. Banning this ancient practice would in effect ban the possibility of Jewish life to flourish in any member state. We acknowledge the threats and difficult public discussion, and we do not underestimate its effect on European Jews.
“The Commission is aware that B’rith Milah of male babies on the 8th day after birth is central for Jewish communities, regardless of their level of observance, whether religious or secular. In line with the EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that Jewish life can continue to flourish in Europe. In fact, Europe can only flourish when it’s Jewish communities flourish, too.”
Participants repeatedly warned that the Belgian proceedings risk transforming a domestic legal case into a European precedent, with implications extending far beyond Belgium’s Jewish and Muslim communities.
Concluding the conference, Rabbi Margolin said:
“Human rights are not tested when they protect the majority. They are tested when they protect minorities. When the protection of one minority is weakened, the protections enjoyed by all minorities become less secure. The question facing Belgium today is not what kind of Jews can live in Europe. The question is what kind of Europe Europe wants to be.”
More information for your review :
Policy Paper on Circumcision in English
Policy Paper on Circumcision NL
Policy Paper on Circumcision FR
Link to the video of the live stream:
Past events
Conference on Circumcision, Religious Freedom and the Future of Jewish Life in Belgium.
Brussels, Belgium
EIPA - Brussels Press Day
Brussels, Belgium
EJA Bootcamp - Navigating the Storm Copenhagen 2026
As we wrapped up two inspiring days of our boot camp with activists from across Europe, who joined us to learn how to combat antisemitism and stand up for Israel through traditional media, social media, diplomacy, and advocacy, we wished to express our deep appreciation to everyone who took part.
Our EJA team put participants through detailed, intense, and inspiring training sessions, sharing practical tutorials, strategies, and tools for dealing with traditional media, social media, and public advocacy. The levels of engagement, commitment, and genuine passion shown throughout the program were truly humbling, reinforcing our belief that investing in both the next generation and current advocates is essential in strengthening Jewish communities and combating antisemitism across Europe.
As part of these two meaningful days, we were honoured to organise an inspiring event together with the Jewish community in Copenhagen: “Standing Strong Together – The Future of Jewish Life in Denmark,” held at Københavns Synagoge. We sincerely thanked this wonderful community for joining us and contributing to such an important and meaningful discussion.
While we had the opportunity to share our own experiences and perspectives, we also learned a tremendous amount from the community itself — about their daily lives, the similarities and differences between our communities, and most importantly, how we can continue strengthening one another in our shared commitment to safeguarding and supporting Jewish life across Europe.
We also extended our heartfelt gratitude to the chairwoman of the community, Ms. Rosen, for her warm welcome and for sharing not only how the community had come together in a way that gave us hope, but also how supportive the Danish government had been in helping ensure the safety and security of Jewish life in Denmark. We arrived hoping to share our knowledge and experience, but ultimately left having learned far more from the community itself.
In addition, we expressed our deepest appreciation to the incredible team at Chabad House Copenhagen for opening their doors to us throughout those two days, making us feel at home, taking care of all our needs, and sharing with us the story and history of their community. A special thank you was extended to Rabbi Katzenstein and Rabbi Lowenthal for their hard work, dedication, and hospitality.
The success of both events was made possible thanks to this remarkable spirit of cooperation, partnership, and shared purpose. We look forward to continuing and strengthening these collaborations in the future as we work together to ensure that Jewish life across Europe remains safe, vibrant, and prosperous for generations to come.
Open Letter from European Jewish Leaders to the Governments of Europe, Belgium and the Leaders of the European Institutions: Criminalisation of Circumcision in Belgium
“Stop this Madness and protect our Freedom of Religion”
The Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA) Rabbi Menachem Margolin and dozens of Jewish Leaders from Communities all over Europe, including the Presidents of Paris, Milan, Madrid, Barcelona, Porto and Amsterdam today published an open letter to European, EU and Belgian Political leaders urging them to act against a Belgian prosecutor’s attempt to criminalize circumcision and to protect Freedom of Religion.
“All the words of politicians about the importance of Jewish life in Europe mean nothing if they do not act immediately to stop this injustice,” said the Leaders.
The letter comes as Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office intends to refer two Jewish ritual circumcisers, known as mohels, to the correctional court, effectively criminalizing the act of circumcision. The Mohels, extensively trained in religious circumcision, are not doctors.
In their letter, the Jewish Leaders said:
“We are horrified that the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office intends to refer two Jewish ritual circumcisers, known as mohels, to the correctional court, effectively criminalizing the act of circumcision. In many countries a solution has been found that balances freedom of religion. In France, Holland and Germany for instance. We believe therefore, based on the Belgian authorities’ outright refusal to seek an accomodation, that this prosecution is antisemitic in nature, reminiscent of efforts taken in Europe against Jewish practice prior to the Second World War. That the same prosecutor’s office has too often closed clear cases of antisemitism but is now choosing to act against Jewish life itself confirms this belief.
We remind belgium that Freedom of religion is a fundamental right. This decision stands in direct contradiction to it. The message being sent here is clear: Jews are no longer welcome in Belgium. And Belgian jews are now Second class citizens with limited rights. Circumcision has been shown throughout decades of medical research to not be harmful to baby boys. In fact it has medical benefits – which is why so many people choose to circumcise their children outside of religion. Attacking circumcision in this manner – only when it relates to Jewish babies, is an attack on Jewish life in Europe.
All the words of politicians about the importance of Jewish life in Europe mean nothing if they do not act immediately to stop this injustice. We urge them and the Belgian Government to stop this madness. Circumcision is not a crime.”
REM ΗERITAGE – Holocaust Education Remembrance through Intergenerational Exchange
EJA is honored to take part in an importat project – REM ΗERITAGE – Holocaust Education Remembrance through Intergenerational Exchange.
REM HERITAGE: Holocaust Education Remembrance through Intergenerational Exchange is a European project implemented from April 2025 to March 2027. It brings together partners from five countries to strengthen Holocaust remembrance and the collective memory of other mass atrocities.
The project promotes an innovative intergenerational educational approach, combining shared learning experiences, awareness-raising, and communication activities to maximise visibility and long-term impact across Europe.
Objectives:
The overall objective of the project is to foster critical awareness among young people and students about the Holocaust, while promoting democratic values, tolerance, and respect for fundamental rights.
Through the active engagement of multiple generations, the project aims to preserve and transmit the memories and lessons of Holocaust survivors to younger generations, ensuring that such atrocities are never forgotten.
Methodology:
REM HERITAGE is implemented through a series of coordinated activities across participating countries. These include workshops, training sessions, and interactive educational events designed to bridge generational gaps and deepen understanding.
The project employs innovative pedagogical methods, digital tools, and creative approaches to ensure that learning is both meaningful and accessible. In parallel, online awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives, including transnational components, support a broader European dialogue on Holocaust education and remembrance.
A central digital platform will host project materials, including media content, workshop results, and digital stories produced by partners.
Project Partners
- CARDET – Center for the Advancement of Research & Development in Educational Technology (Cyprus, coordinator)
- European Jewish Association ASBL (Belgium)
- KMOP – Social Action and Innovation Center (Greece)
- Deutsche Schule Athen (Greece)
- University of Humanities and Economics in Lodz (Poland)
The project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. PROJECT NUMBER: 101196704
Get Updates And Stay Connected -Subscribe To Our Newsletter
It’s a challenging time for Jewish communities in Europe. Anti-Semitism is on the rise as populism and the politics of the lowest common denominator are gaining traction. Our communities often need round the clock protection and our practices and customs such as keeping Kosher are under pressure from increasing political interference.
The European Jewish Association was set up to deal with these and many other challenges.
Acting on your behalf, we are the leading, biggest and widest reaching Associations of Jewish organizations and communities in Europe.
Our associates represent hundreds of communities and thousands of Jews across the continent. We believe that there is strength and influence in numbers.
