German FM: Religious Traditions Protected in Germany

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle weighed in Friday on a controversial German court ruling on circumcision, saying the country protected religious freedom and traditions, EJP reported.

"The ruling on circumcision has provoked annoyance internationally," Westerwelle wrote on his official Twitter account.

"We have to be clear: religious traditions are protected in Germany," he added.

Westerwelle was quoted in the Bild's online edition Thursday saying that Germany "is an open and tolerant country where religious freedom is well established and where religious traditions like circumcision as an expression of religious diversity are protected."

Still, it appears that a Berlin hospital was not taking any chances and decided to ban circumcision by its staff.