Belgium rebukes US ambassador over antisemitism claim, interference warning

Belgium formally reminded the United States ambassador of the limits of diplomatic conduct on Tuesday, following his public criticism of an ongoing judicial investigation that triggered a heated transatlantic dispute. The Foreign Ministry summoned Ambassador Bill White for talks with senior official Theodora Gentzis, emphasizing the "role and limits" of diplomats under the Vienna Convention and warning against interference in Belgium's internal affairs.

Diplomatic Rebuke Over Antisemitism Accusations

The confrontation stems from White's comments on social media platform X, where he sharply criticized Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke and accused Belgium of antisemitism over the prosecution of three Jewish ritual circumcisers in Antwerp. White described the case as "ABSOLUTELY an issue of antisemitism" and claimed Vandenbroucke was "very rude" and disliked President Donald Trump. In response, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, currently abroad, summoned White and declared his remarks "unacceptable," stating that "any suggestion that Belgium is antisemitic is false, offensive, and unacceptable."

Defense of Judicial Independence and Sovereignty

The ministry's statement stressed the "fundamental importance" of Belgium's separation of powers, noting that the investigation is being conducted by the judiciary independently of the government. "Personal attacks on a member of the Belgian government and any interference in Belgium's internal affairs are contrary to these basic diplomatic rules," the statement read. Prevot warned that accusing Belgium of antisemitism amounted to "dangerous disinformation" and emphasized that "respect for sovereignty works both ways."

Broader Transatlantic Tensions

The diplomatic spat extends beyond the immediate dispute, with Health Minister Vandenbroucke separately accusing the United States of waging an "ideological attack" on Europe's social model, responding to Trump's criticism of Europe's lower medicine prices. Speaking in Paris, he urged the European Union to take a firmer stance against US tariff threats, describing the bloc as a "protective shield against bilateral intimidation." The incident reflects growing friction between Washington and European allies over issues ranging from judicial independence to economic policy, testing the boundaries of the traditionally strong US-Belgium relationship.