Belgium summons U.S. ambassador over tweet accusing kingdom of antisemitism

Belgium has summoned the U.S. ambassador after he accused the country of antisemitic prosecution over a Jewish circumcision case

BRUSSELS -- Belgium summoned the U.S. ambassador on Tuesday over a social media post where he accused the country of antisemitic prosecution of Jewish Belgians, the kingdom's foreign minister said.

“Labeling Belgium as antisemitic is not just wrong, it’s dangerous disinformation that undermines the real fight against hatred,” said Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prévot in a post on X on Monday. The summons is a rare move between staunch allies.

“An ambassador accredited to Belgium has a responsibility to respect our institutions, our elected representatives, and the independence of our judicial system," Prévot said. "Personal attacks against a Belgian minister and interference in judicial matters violate basic diplomatic norms.”

National broadcaster VRT said Belgian authorities are investigating whether three men in Antwerp were performing circumcisions without certified medical training.

U.S. Ambassador Bill White said on a post on X that this investigation was "unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community here in Antwerp and in Belgium.