De Wever rejects US ambassador's accusation of antisemitism
"Belgium is not an antisemitic state; that is nonsense," Bart De Wever said on Wednesday evening. The Belgian prime minister dismissed US ambassador to Belgium Bill White's accusation that Belgium was guilty of antisemitism following the indictment of two mohels, Jewish ritual circumcisers.
Speaking ahead of the 81st 'Day of Victory, for Democracy and the Commemoration of the Genocide Committed by Nazi Germany' in Antwerp, De Wever noted that Belgium had always been able to reconcile its laws with Jewish traditions such as circumcision.
"Circumcision is essential to the Jewish faith and Islam, but so are the quality standards of our legislation. You have to reconcile the two," he said.
De Wever cautioned that it remains entirely unclear whether the case will reach court or result in a conviction. The prime minister also backed Foreign minister Maxime Prévot, who described the American remarks as highly inappropriate.
"Stirring up the controversy is a bad idea," he said. "I can only call on all parties involved in this debate not to seek the public limelight, make unfounded statements and throw heavy words like antisemitism into the debate. That contributes nothing."
International criticism
Earlier on Wednesday, the Antwerp Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed it is seeking to refer two mohels to the correctional court over alleged illegal circumcisions. The alleged offences have been classified as "intentional assault or battery with premeditation against minors and the unlawful practice of medicine."
The case prompted strong reactions from Jewish organisations in Belgium and abroad. Alongside ambassador White's remarks, the European Jewish Association called the indictments "a clear warning signal for Belgian Jews," while Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar accused Belgium of using criminal law to prosecute Jews for practising Judaism.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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