Belgian politicians have condemned US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White after his extraordinary social media attack on Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke on Monday.
Writing on X on Monday, White launched an attack on Vandenbroucke and called on Belgium to drop what he termed "the ridiculous and anti-Semitic" prosecution of three Jewish ritual circumcisers. He also called on Belgium to do "a much better job" on the issue of anti-Semitism.
White referred to a case dating from last May, when Antwerp police conducted searches at the homes of three mohels (circumcisers) suspected of performing circumcisions without the involvement of a doctor.
"Stop this unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community here in Antwerp and in Belgium," said White. "It’s 2026, you need to get into the 21st century and allow our brethren Jewish families in Belgium to legally execute their religious freedoms!"
White called for an end to any prosecution of the three mohels, who he says are performing acts for which "they have been trained for thousands of years".
The ambassador announced that he will travel to Antwerp next week to meet with the mohels involved and their families. He called on Minister Vandenbroucke and Vooruit chairman Conner Rousseau to join him.
'No one is above the law'
Responding to White's outburst, Vooruit Chairman Conner Rousseau argued that "no one is above the law" and said the US ambassador "shouldn’t interfere with our legal process".
"We have no lessons to learn from America about good and affordable healthcare for everyone," said Rousseau in a statement.
"Belgium is a constitutional state that protects its citizens from any form of arbitrariness or intimidation. Here, we let the courts do their work, and no one is above the law. Not even an American ambassador. He has no business interfering with our legal process. I will not tolerate his insults to our country and our government," it says.
Ministers Jan Jambon, Vincent Van Peteghem, Frank Vandenbroucke, Maxime Prevot pictured before the oath ceremony for new members of the Federal Government at the Royal Palace, Sunday 02 February 2025, in Brussels. Credit: Belga
According to Rousseau, it is “appropriate that our Minister of Foreign Affairs (Maxime Prévot, ed.) invites him to explain in detail the functioning of our constitutional state.”
'Unacceptable'
On Monday evening, Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced he had summoned White for a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the ambassador's "unacceptable" statements on X.
"Any suggestion that Belgium is anti-Semitic is false, offensive and unacceptable," Prévot said in a long message posted on social media X.
"Belgium condemns anti-Semitism in the strongest possible terms. The fight against anti-Semitism, as well as against all forms of hatred and discrimination, is an absolute priority for our country," Prévot stated.
Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot (left), Prime Minister Bart De Wever (middle) and Defence Minister Theo Francken at the federal parliament, in Brussels, Thursday 04 December 2025. Credit: Belga/Benoit Doppagne
He added that everyone must be able to practise their faith without fear of violence, discrimination or persecution, and that this was the basis of the rule of law.
"To describe Belgium as anti-Semitic is not only wrong, it is dangerous misinformation that weakens the real fight against hatred," he continued.
Prévot further explained that Belgian law allows ritual circumcision when performed by a qualified doctor in accordance with strict health and safety standards. "The specific case mentioned is the subject of a judicial investigation. I refrain from commenting on ongoing proceedings," he added.
According to him, the US ambassador's statements are therefore "unacceptable".
"An ambassador accredited to Belgium has a responsibility to respect our institutions, our elected representatives and the independence of our judicial system. Personal attacks against a Belgian minister and any interference in judicial matters constitute a violation of fundamental diplomatic norms," said Prévot.
He reiterated that Belgium is open to dialogue with all its partners. "But any interference in our democratic institutions and any unfounded accusations cross a line that cannot be crossed. Respect for sovereignty works both ways," he insisted.
White asks for retraction
In response, White took to social media again and doubled down on his position.
"You either have to make a change to the procedural accreditation, or you have to call prosecution of these three beautiful religiously qualified and wonderful men anti-semeitc [sic]."
Newly appointed US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White. Credit: Belga / AFP
The ambassador claims to have discussed the matter with Vandenbroucke, who White claims "does not like my wonderful president". The minister reportedly said to White that he wanted to wait for the outcome of the case, which he also considers "anti-Semitic".
White said he believes that, as a "devout Catholic", it is his "duty" to call for a change in the current procedure.
"Changing this law is something that EVERY Jew in Belgium is calling for (thousands have contacted me today), and it is a right that your Belgian Jewish citizens, their families and their many loyal supporters deserve immediately," he asserted.
The ambassador also rejected accusations of interference in Belgian judicial affairs.
"Other people’s interpretation that I am somehow asking the government to interfere in a judicial procedure is a political attempt to distract from the facts at hand," before asking Belgium's foreign minister to rectify his remarks.
"I hope you will kindly correct your wording, because I will always react when something is false and incorrect."
This story was updated on Tuesday afternoon to reflect the fact that Ambassador Bill White called on Belgium, not Frank Vandenbroucke himself, to drop the legal case.
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