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The United States’ ambassador to Belgium has met with the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken place in Brussels after the ambassador was summoned by the Belgian government, Euronews has learned.
The meeting was arranged after Ambassador Bill White said in a post on X on Monday that “antisemitism is unacceptable in any form and it must be rooted out of our society”.
The reaction from the Belgian government was swift and furious, with one source telling Euronews: “This is not the role of US ambassador. The law applies to all people, that’s Belgian democracy.”
“Labelling Belgium as antisemitic is not just wrong, it’s dangerous disinformation that undermines the real fight against hatred,” Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot wrote in a post on X.
The row erupted in relation to an investigation into three men accused of performing circumcisions on baby boys without required medical certification. Belgian law states that circumcision of baby boys is permitted so long as a doctor or medical professional conducts the operation.
“Over 25,000 safe circumcisions have taken place in Belgium in the last year,” a person familiar with the situation told Euronews.
Prévot, who summoned the ambassador, is out of the country, and was represented at Tuesday’s meeting by the Secretary General of the ministry, Theodora Gentzis.
Euronews understands that throughout the meeting on Tuesday afternoon, White reiterated calls for Belgian authorities to drop the investigation into the three men.
‘False, offensive and unacceptable’
After the 25-minute meeting with White, the ministry issued a statement saying that White had been reminded that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations defines the role of ambassador and its limitations.
“Personal attacks on a member of the Belgian government and any interference in Belgium’s internal affairs are contrary to these basic diplomatic rules,” the statement read.
“Belgium attaches great importance to its relations with the United States of America. However, this dialogue must be based on respect for our institutions and our sovereignty. Any suggestion that Belgium is antisemitic is completely false, offensive and unacceptable.”
“The fight against antisemitism is a priority for Belgium. Our country consistently and unequivocally condemns all forms of antisemitism and racism, both on its territory and abroad.“
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