On Tuesday 29^th July, an article appeared on The Telegraph Online conflating Brit Milah and Female genital Mutilation (FGM). Following this piece Milah UK felt it was important to respond to the article on behalf of the Jewish community, to clearly set out the differences between Brit Milah and the abhorrent practice of FGM. Simon Hochauser, co-chairman of Milah UK, wrote a response which was published on the same website today and can be found here.

The UK government and UNICEF co-hosted the first ‘Girl Summit’, working to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early and forced marriage (CEFM).

The UK Jewish community is fully behind the campaigns against the abhorrent practice of Female Genital Mutilation and forced marriage which would be considered extremely serious breaches of Jewish law. Representing the community’s view, the Chief Rabbi signed two important declarations, one opposing Female Genital Mutilation and a second opposing Forced Marriage.

The full text of the declarations can be seen on the Chief Rabbi’s website.