Antwerp’s Jews Gather in Protest and Prayer for Indicted Mohels

Hundreds of members of Antwerp’s Jewish community gathered on Monday, May 18, 2026, for a rally of protest and prayer at the Machsike Hadass study hall after local mohels — ritual circumcisers — were indicted. The gathering was led by Rabbi Aharon Schiff, the rabbi of the local community, who framed the charges as a grave threat to Jewish religious life in the city.

“A terrible decree has befallen the city,” Rabbi Schiff told those assembled, praising the mohels as devoted men who travel even during the Passover holiday to faraway places to perform the mitzva of circumcision. “Everyone knows that our mohels are G-d-fearing and righteous people,” he said. He recalled that the community had once faced a decree against ritual slaughter and now confronts one against circumcision, a commandment for which, he noted, generations have sacrificed their lives.

Following the address, the congregation recited Psalms, praying for the success of the mohels and for the withdrawal of the charges. The indictments have unsettled the community, which fears for its freedom of worship and its ability to carry out circumcision in the traditional manner. Rabbi Schiff acknowledged that the move could fairly be called antisemitism, even as he urged his community toward self-reflection.

(INN/VFI News)

Dear God, we lift up the Jewish community of Antwerp as they face charges that threaten their freedom to live out their faith, asking that You grant them courage and unwavering trust in You. We pray for the mohels who have faithfully served their community, that You would vindicate them and that the indictments would be withdrawn. Move upon the hearts of the judges and officials involved, that they would uphold true justice and the freedom to worship. Strengthen Your people in every nation where the practice of their faith is under pressure, and in Yeshua’s Name we pray that they would know You are near.