At an emergency meeting on Wednesday about Belgium’s indictment of three Jewish circumcisers, the European Commission’s point person for fighting antisemitism warned that outlawing the custom would “ban” Jewish life.
Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission’s coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, made the remarks at an emergency meeting of Jewish, Christian and Muslims faith leaders in Brussels under the auspices of the European Jewish Association.

The European Commission is “aware that circumcision is one of the most important traditions for Jews. Banning this ancient practice would in effect ban the possibility of Jewish life to flourish in any member state. We acknowledge the threats and difficult public discussion, and we do not underestimate its effect on European Jews,” said von Schnurbein.

In a statement about the gathering, EJA said that the issue “could determine the future of Jewish life in Europe.” EJA chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin added: “The question facing Belgium today is not what kind of Jews can live in Europe. The question is what kind of Europe Europe wants to be.”