The fate of the Jews during, among other things, World War II causes the Prime Minister to distance himself from bans.
The question of a possible ban on circumcision of Jewish boys cannot stand alone.
It must be seen in the light of the fate of the Jews. A fate that has been marked by persecution and suspicion. Among other things, during World War II, when six million Jews lost their lives as a result of the Nazi genocide.
This is what Mette Frederiksen (S) says in an interview with Weekendavisen . Thus, the Prime Minister clearly announces in the debate whether it should be illegal to cut the foreskin of boy children, as is practiced in Judaism, among other places.
‘Jew hatred is part of Europe’s history’
For the question is about much more than just foreskin, says the Prime Minister.
– You can not see it detached from the history of Denmark and Europe. Europe’s history is a history of persecution of Jews. It has been for many hundreds of years, says Mette Frederiksen to Weekendavisen.
It culminates in the 1930s and 40s with the systematic massacre, with the genocide, with the Holocaust . Unfortunately, that is Europe’s history.
That is why she is against a ban.
– For many Jews, it will not be possible to practice their faith and stay in Danish society if a ban on circumcision is implemented, she says.
‘Recognizing Dilemmas’
Personally, however, she is not a supporter of circumcision, she says.
– When you look at this question completely detached from history and only look at the individual, I am not even a supporter of circumcision. That is why I recognize the dilemmas. I fully understand why many Danes have the view that circumcision of minors should not take place, she says to Weekendavisen.
V-President: Prohibition is not the way forward
The debate has otherwise been heated lately.
According to TV2, SF, Enhedslisten, Alternativet, Nye Borgerlige, Liberal Alliance and Dansk Folkeparti have previously announced that they are in favor of a ban. While the Social Democrats and the Liberals have been less clear.
Today, however, the Liberal Party’s chairman, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, has also announced that he is also against a ban.
– I agree that a ban is not the way forward. DK will stand alone with a ban – and we must be able to accommodate the Jewish community in Denmark. We owe it to them, he writes on Twitter.
In recent years, there have been several examples of attacks on Jewish persons and institutions in Denmark. Among other things, the 37-year-old Dan Uzan lost his life when he stood guard in front of the synagogue in Krystalgade on the night of 15 February 2015 , where he was shot by the terrorist Omar El-Hussein. But since then, Jewish cemeteries and schools have also been vandalized .
Many Jews therefore perceive the debate on circumcision as another attack on their minority.
Henri Goldstein, chairman of the Jewish community in Denmark, has thus called the debate on a possible ban ” the biggest crisis for the Jewish community in Denmark since World War II , where we had to flee to Sweden”.
