Flag of Israel displayed at the European Commission office in Brussels on 8 October 2023. © Thierry Monasse / Getty Images
Belgium called on US Ambassador Bill White after he accused the authorities of harassing the judaic community.
On Monday's entry on X White, he urged Belgium to discontinue criminal proceedings against 3 mohels – judaic clergy performing circumcision – suspected of performing these treatments in Antwerp without a medical license.
“Stop this unacceptable harassment of the judaic community here in Antwerp and Belgium” – wrote White, adding that mohele “They do what they have been trained to do for thousands of years.”
White besides accused Belgian wellness minister Frank Vandenbroucke of ‘very naughty’ behavior and refusal to give him a hand or pose for a photograph during their first meeting.
“It was clear you didn’t like America” White wrote.
Belgian abroad Minister Maxime Prevot condemned White's statements.
"Every proposition that Belgium is anti-Semitic is false, offensive and unacceptable.
Belgium condemns anti-Semitism with full determination" – wrote Provot on X.
"Personal attacks on Belgian minister and interference in court cases violate basic diplomatic standards" – he added.
Prevot noted that under Belgian law only qualified doctors can execute circumcisions and announced that he would refrain from commenting on this peculiar case.
On Tuesday White told reporters that “No request to apologize” on his part and expressed hope that Belgium "legalises this process so that these people can return to average life".
Israeli abroad Minister Gideon Saar supported White by citing what he referred to as "a violent and continuous increase in the number of anti-Semitic attacks in Belgium".
He called on Prevot to "he looked closely at this mirror and recognized reality."
In response, Prevot warned against "abuse of the word anti-Semitism" and rejected claims of widespread anti-Jewish sentiments in Belgium.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/632696-us-envoy-belgium-row/
