May 5, 2011
Norway’s Jews oppose circumcision law amendment
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The umbrella organization for Jews in Norway is opposing a proposed amendment that would ban ritual circumcision on boys younger than 15.
The Mosaic Religious Community, the umbrella for Norway’s Jewish community and Jewish organizations, has sent a letter to Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Justice Minister Knut Storberget outlining its opposition to the amendment proposed by the country’s state ombudsman for children, the English-language website News and Views from Norway reported.
The age limit would be part of a proposed change in the law made last week that would allow ritual circumcision in public hospitals, which is currently banned. Under the proposed change, parents could either have only a doctor present or have religious circumcisers present to carry out the procedure under the observation of medical professionals, the website reported.
Jewish boys are circumcised on the eighth day of life. Muslim boys are usually circumcised sometime before their 15th birthday.
“This suggestion is going to go to Jewish media all over the world and support the idea that Norway is a ‘Jew-hating country,’ ” Mosaic Religious Community’s letter reportedly said. “And we agree—this will in practice mean that ‘Jews don’t have access to the kingdom’ again.”
