Jews United Takes Brit Milah Case to Belgian Embassy

14 May 2026 | London | Religious Freedom

Jews United joined JCC London, Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE and Jeremy Stein in a delegation to the Belgian Embassy in London, challenging the criminal prosecution of two mohalim (ritual circumcisers) in Antwerp.

The delegation presented a legal and practical proposal to safeguard the Jewish practice of brit milah while maintaining appropriate child-safety standards.

Drawing on established practices in the United Kingdom, Germany and France, the delegation proposed a regulatory approach incorporating professional training, clinical guidance, safeguarding and accountability.

Milah UK and the Initiation Society, established in 1745, offered to meet Belgian authorities directly and share their established framework for the training and supervision of mohalim.

The delegation also formally invited Belgian government representatives to observe a brit milah in London or Antwerp to better understand the practice and its safeguards.

Progress Achieved

Belgian Embassy representatives received the delegation and, as recorded in the follow-up correspondence, undertook to forward the briefing materials and the Initiation Society's proposal to the relevant authorities in Brussels.

Our Objective

Jews United continues to advocate for the protection of brit milah as a fundamental Jewish religious practice, while supporting appropriate child-safety safeguards.

We seek a practical resolution that protects religious freedom and allows trained mohalim to continue serving Jewish communities in Belgium.

Religious freedom and child safety must be protected together.