Jewish community proposes medical oversight for ritual circumcisers
Belgium’s Jewish community is prepared to establish a supervisory committee of doctors to assess ritual circumcisers, following the controversial investigation into alleged illegal circumcisions in Antwerp. “But then the criminalisation must stop,” Philippe Markiewicz, president of the Central Israelite Consistory of Belgium, told De Tijd on Tuesday.
The proposal comes after the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office announced that it wants to refer two men to the correctional court in a judicial investigation into possible illegal circumcisions.
The case has caused concern within Belgium’s Jewish community, according to Yves Oschinsky, president of the Coordination Committee of Jewish Organizations in Belgium, and Markiewicz.
According to Markiewicz, the prosecutor’s request points to “an attempt to criminalise Jewish religious practice.” He noted that there is “nothing mysterious” about ritual circumcision and that no parent is forced to have the procedure carried out.
Under Belgian law, circumcision is considered a medical procedure. Markiewicz said he has therefore proposed a framework to Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgium’s minister of public health.
“If the minister wants guarantees regarding the technical competence of Jewish circumcisers, he can have them,” he said.
Supervisory committee
The proposal would involve setting up a committee of doctors, including paediatricians and urologists, within the Consistory to assess mohels individually. “Those who receive a positive recommendation will be placed on an official list. Those who are not on that list will not be recognised by the Jewish community,” Markiewicz said.
According to him, such an arrangement could prevent a prolonged legal battle. “If it comes to a referral, we are in for 10 or 20 years of proceedings on appeal, in cassation, and before the European Court.”
A rapid agreement appears unlikely, however. The Chamber of Indictments is due to decide on 18 June whether the two men will be referred to the correctional court. Government parties have so far insisted that politics should not intervene in an ongoing judicial investigation.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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