Israel calls on Council of Europe to rescind anti-circumcision resolution

Israel: Rescind anti-circumcision resolution

  •   Israel calls on Council of Europe to rescind anti-circumcision resolution
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    Circumcision of male children is an ancient religious tradition of two important  religions, Judaism and Islam. Claims that circumcision harms young boys’ health and body are false, and do not rest on any scientific evidence. ​
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    ​(Communicated by the MFA Spokesperson)

    After the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution against circumcision, Israel calls on the Council to rescind immediately the resolution.

    Circumcision of male children is an ancient religious tradition of two important  religions, Judaism and Islam, and it is also common among some Christian circles. Any comparison of this tradition to the reprehensible and barbaric practice of female genital mutilation is either appalling ignorance, at best, or defamation and anti-religious hatred, at worst.

    Claims that circumcision harms young boys’ health and body are false, and do not rest on any scientific evidence. Rather the contrary is true. For example, an official paper published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in August 2012  shows the health benefits of newborn male circumcision.

    The resolution of the PACE constitutes, therefore, an intolerable attack both on the respectable and ancient religious tradition that lies at the base of European culture, and on modern medical science and its findings.

    This resolution casts a moral stain on the Council of Europe, and fosters hate and racist trends in Europe. We call on the Council of Europe to act without delay in order to annul it.