Jews, Muslims, Christians Protest German Anti-Circumcision Law

Approximately 300 protesters across the religious spectrum demonstrated in eastern Berlin in favor of religious freedom and the decriminalization of circumcision in Germany.

The majority of the protesters were Jewish, though Muslims and Christians also participated.

There are approximately 10,500 Jews living in Berlin.

Mainly Jewish protesters, as well as Muslims and Christians, demonstrated on Sunday for religious freedom and the decriminalization of circumcision in the Federal Republic.

Lala Süskind, former head of the Berlin Jerish community spoke at the rally, speaking up on behalf of religious rituals and citing the World Health Organization’s recommendation that boys be circumcised for medical reasons.

A new law to reintroduce circumcision to German society would require parents to prove the procedure has a religious basis, to receive medical guidance against the procedure by a doctor, and to acquiesce to having their sons circumcised by a doctor rather than a mohel.  The Jewish community has rejected the proposed law.