Minister of health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) accused the US government of waging an “ideological attack on our European social model, including our healthcare”. He made these remarks on Tuesday during a press conference in Paris in response to comments made by the US ambassador to Belgium, Bill White.
Vandenbroucke is in Paris for a conference on European healthcare policy. He addressed the repeated criticism of US President Donald Trump, who claims that Europe contributes too little to the research and development of medicines while the continent benefits from lower prices.
The minister acknowledged that Americans spend more on research and development, but according to him, this is mainly because private intermediaries are reaping high margins. He said that the European Union must take a stronger stand against the United States, for example, when Trump announces new import tariffs against the EU or an individual member state. “The European Union is a protective shield against bilateral intimidation,” Vandenbroucke stated. “We should make this much clearer to our citizens.”
Ambassador calls prosecution ‘antisemitic’
The remarks come a day after US ambassador Bill White sharply criticised Vandenbroucke and accused Belgium of antisemitism over the prosecution of three Jewish ritual circumcisers in Antwerp.
In a lengthy post on X, White referred to what he called the “antisemitic persecution” of the three mohels and urged the Belgian government to intervene. He described the case as “ABSOLUTELY a case of antisemitism”.
“Either you have to adjust the procedural accreditation or you have to label the prosecution of these three wonderful, religiously qualified, and wonderful men as antisemitism,” White wrote. He described the prosecution as “selective”, adding: “Thousands of safe, qualified mohel procedures are taking place in Belgium. So, why this time, why these three mohels, why in Antwerp, the large diaspora of beautiful Jewish families here in Belgium, and why now?”
White said he had met Vandenbroucke to discuss the matter, claiming the minister “doesn’t like my wonderful president”. According to the ambassador, the minister preferred to await the outcome of the judicial investigation, which White nonetheless considers “antisemitic”. He called on Belgium to “create legal provisions so that Jewish mohels can perform their duties here in Belgium” and described Vandenbroucke as “extremely rude”.
The ambassador argued that it was his “duty” to seek changes to the relevant procedures. “Amending this law is something EVERY Jew in Belgium is crying out for (thousands have contacted me today) and is a right that your Jewish Belgian citizens, their families, and their many loyal supporters immediately deserve. The interpretation by others that I am somehow asking the government to intervene in a legal procedure is a political attempt to divert attention from the facts. I hope you will correct your statement, because I will always respond if something is untrue and inaccurate,” he wrote.
Prévot summons ambassador
Foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) has since summoned White for a meeting, describing his statements as “unacceptable”.
“Any suggestion that Belgium is antisemitic is false, insulting, and unacceptable,” Prévot said. He stressed that “the fight against antisemitism, and against all forms of hatred and discrimination, is an absolute priority for our country.”
Belgian law permits ritual circumcision “when performed by a qualified physician under strict health and safety standards”, the minister noted. “The specific case referred to is the subject of a judicial investigation. I will refrain from commenting on ongoing proceedings.”
Accusing Belgium of antisemitism amounts to “dangerous disinformation”, Prévot said. “An ambassador accredited to Belgium has the responsibility to respect our institutions, our elected representatives and the independence of our judiciary. Personal attacks on a Belgian minister and interference in judicial affairs violate the basic norms of diplomacy.”
“Belgium is open to dialogue with all partners. But interference in our democratic institutions and unfounded accusations cross a line that cannot be crossed. Respect for sovereignty works both ways,” he concluded.
Minister of public health and social affairs Frank Vandenbroucke pictured during a conference on European health care policy, in Paris, France, on Tuesday 17 February 2026. © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT TOUSSAINT
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