A diplomatic row between Belgium and the US is escalating, with Donald Trump’s ambassador refusing to apologize for accusing his host country of anti-Semitism and a socialist politician threatening to ban him from traveling to the US.
Bill White, a staunch ally of the president, like several US ambassadors, demanded Belgium on Monday drop a “ridiculous” and “antisemitic” investigation into three Jewish men suspected of circumcision without medical qualifications.
In a social media post, White demanded that Belgium’s “very rude” socialist health minister, Frank Vandenbroucke, stop the “unacceptable harassment” and “disgusting” treatment of the three men. He also called on Belgium to do a “better job” on anti-Semitism.
Circumcision is legal in Belgium but must be performed under strict conditions by a medical professional. An investigation into three mohels, or ritual circumcisers, who were suspected of performing circumcisions without any medical training in Antwerp.
White’s post drew an immediate rebuke from Belgium’s foreign minister, Maxime Prevot. “Any antisemitic suggestion by Belgium is wrong, offensive and unacceptable,” Privot said, accusing the ambassador of violating “basic diplomatic norms.”
White responded that Belgium would have to change its law or label the finding of “three handsome religiously qualified and excellent men” as anti-Semitic. He said the accusations that he was interfering in Belgian legal affairs were a “political distraction”.
After being summoned to the Foreign Office on Tuesday, White insisted there was no need to apologize. He “explained our position and the position of President Trump and our country”, and said he hoped Belgium “can legitimize this process”.
Belgian officials said White was reminded of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations: “Personal attacks on a member of the government and interference in the internal affairs of Belgium are contrary to these basic diplomatic rules.”
While Belgium attaches great importance to its relationship with the US, the dialogue “must be based on respect for our institutions and our sovereignty,” the ministry said in its statement. It reiterated its condemnation of anti-Semitism and racism.
Belgian newspaper De Morgen reported on Wednesday that White delivered a formal complaint to Belgium’s top diplomat at the meeting, demanding an “immediate condemnation” of the statements made by Flemish Socialist Vooruit Party leader Connor Rousseau.
Rousseau said last month that the “appalling” behavior of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the US showed that “history is repeating itself” and that “we have never heard” calls for “never again” after the horrors of Nazi Germany.
Rousseau said Wednesday he was unrepentant. “I posted on social media five weeks ago, yesterday it suddenly becomes a problem,” he said. “I doubt it [White’s] The circumcision intervention did not go as he would have liked.
Rousseau, who White threatened with a travel ban to the US, told Flemish broadcaster VRT: “I can only say that we in Belgium have the right to express our concerns about what is happening in the US and also believe in political responsibility.
“I respect the ambassador’s opinion, but I also respect our opinion.”
