Greens propose ban on circumcision as Jewish group warns of attack on freedom of religion and belief

Zack Polanski's Green Party is considering a new policy to ban circumcision, as Jewish community leaders respond with warnings of an attack on freedom of religious expression.

The party’s Health Policy Working Group has launched a consultation to determine whether parental consent for an "irreversible surgical procedure on a child" should only be mandated on grounds of medical necessity.

The body also contests whether ‘"non-therapeutic male circumcision should only be performed on children who are old enough to make an informed choice".

The pitch has already faced criticism, given circumcision is a common and integral part of Judaism, with Jewish boys traditionally undergoing a "brit milah" eight days after birth.

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Russell Langer, Director of Public Affairs at the Jewish Leadership Council, said: "Circumcision is a vital part of Jewish life and an essential link to our religion and heritage.

"This is also a practice shared with many of the Muslim faith.

"Any suggestion of a ban on circumcision will have a significant impact on our communities and the future of the UK as a tolerant society which respects freedom of religion and belief."

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A message posted on behalf of the party’s Health Policy Working Group consultation officer, Conall Monaghan, said: "One of the central challenges we faced at conference last year was around this subject, so helping us to respond to this survey will be a huge help in ensuring the Green Party has an updated Health Policy from this autumn."

At a party conference last year, a planned fringe event on "medically unnecessary penile circumcision in children" was cancelled, as Jewish Greens warned of a "lack of understanding" about the practice.

Responding to this year’s health consultation, the official Green Party Women group described the proposal as "controversial and goes completely against stated need for cultural sensitivities".

A Green party spokesman said: "Our Policy Working Groups are made up of members who work autonomously on policy exploration and formation projects. This is not party policy.

"The only way for anything to become party policy is through a vote at conference."

Back in 2012, European Jewish and Muslim communities outraged over a ruling by a Cologne court, declaring the circumcision of young boys could be considered a criminal offence.

The proposal at the time cited bodily harm and infringement of a child's right to integrity.

Jewish leaders furiously condemned the move as the "worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust", and demanded the German government intervene to protect the practice as a religious rite.

Later that year, the state instead passed legislation to protect the right of parents to circumcise their sons for religious reasons.

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