Authorities in Antwerp have moved forward with criminal charges against two esteemed mohelim; a decision that has sparked sharp criticism from Jewish leaders and government officials in Israel and the United States.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association, reacted strongly on Wednesday, warning that the case reflects a broader threat to Jewish life in Europe.

“This is not borderline and not ambiguous-this is antisemitism,” Margolin declared. “Another red line has been crossed. This prosecution is antisemitic in nature and represents a clear attempt to misuse irrelevant constitutional provisions in order to effectively ban circumcision.”

He said the charges follow a pattern seen in Europe’s past. “Not similar. Not comparable. Identical in its logic of restriction to what we saw in Europe before the Second World War,” he said.

Margolin also accused Belgian authorities of selectively enforcing the law. “The same prosecutor’s office that too often closes cases of antisemitism is now choosing to act against Jewish life itself. This crosses a red line.”

The case has also drawn condemnation from U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White, who criticized the decision in a post on X. “The prosecution of these religious figures (mohels), one of whom is American, is WRONG and won’t be tolerated,” White wrote. “Belgium will be thought of now as antisemitic by the world. Until this is resolved—there is no way around it,” he added.

White was responding to remarks by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who also denounced the charges. “Belgium joins a short and shameful list, together with Ireland, of countries that use criminal law to prosecute Jews for practicing Judaism. This is a scarlet letter on Belgian society,” Sa’ar wrote.

Margolin warned that the implications extend far beyond the individuals involved. “Today it is clear exactly what we are facing,” he said, criticizing what he described as empty reassurances from European leaders. “All the ‘beautiful words’ of politicians about the importance of Jewish life in Europe mean nothing if they do not act immediately to stop this injustice.”

Addressing the broader debate, he emphasized the central role of circumcision in Jewish life and its medical standing. “Circumcision has been shown throughout decades of medical research not to be harmful to baby boys-and even to have benefits. Attacking it in this way, only when it concerns Jewish children, is an attack on Jewish life in Europe.”

He further argued that the prosecution contradicts fundamental rights under Belgian law. “Freedom of religion is a fundamental right in Belgium, and this decision stands in direct contradiction to it.”

In a stark warning, Margolin said the development sends a troubling message. “The message here is clear: Jews are no longer welcome in Belgium. Belgian Jews are now second-class citizens with limited rights.”

He added that the European Jewish Association is weighing its response, including the possibility of encouraging emigration. “We will convene a conference to address this issue, including the possibility of emigration from the country,” he said.

“That it has come to this marks a deeply shameful moment for Belgium,” Margolin concluded.