The Unkindest Cut: Germany Approves Circumcision Bill

Germany’s Cabinet announced on Wednesday that it had approved a bill that would allow male circumcision under medical supervision.

A ruling by a Cologne court last May said that the practice amounted to “bodily harm,” and deemed it illegal, causing outcry from the German Jewish and Muslim communities and sparking debate within the country. The ruling today was welcome by Dieter Graumann, the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, who told the German outlet DW.de that, “our politicians have earned a lot of praise and respect.”

The Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims, Aiman Mazyek, called the bill, “exceedingly astute, balanced, and fair.”

Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said that the decision was “an important signal to clear away any ambiguity” on whether the practice was legal, TheLocal.de said.

Opponents of the bill said that this will “weaken children’s rights.”

There are about 4.3 million Muslims in Germany, and about 200,000 Jews.