Antwerp Prosecutors Seek Trial for Two Mohels Over Alleged Illegal Circumcisions

The Antwerp Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated proceedings to refer two mohels, Jewish ritual circumcisers, to the correctional court over allegations of performing circumcisions without recognized medical training. The charges include 'intentional assault or battery with premeditation against minors and the unlawful practice of medicine.' This follows a judicial investigation that led to police searches in Antwerp's Jewish quarter and other locations in May 2025. The case has sparked significant reactions from Jewish organizations, with the European Jewish Association condemning the actions as harassment. The Chamber of Indictments is scheduled to examine the case on June 18, 2026, to decide whether the suspects should stand trial. This development raises important questions about religious practices, medical regulations, and the intersection of cultural traditions with legal standards in Belgium.