Lawsuit against New York City: Allow "sucking" without conditions

A lawsuit was filed today (Thursday) to the District Court in New York - by three Jewish organizations - including Agudath Israel of America - and three rabbis, against the municipality's decision concerning circumcision.

Last month, the City Council adopted a unanimous decision that parents must sign a special form before the ' mouth sucking ' procedure during circumcision. The law is designed to prevent transmission of diseases, and was first brought forward after it emerged that between the years 2004 to 2011 at least 11 babies were infected with herpes following mouth sucking. Two of them died and two others suffered brain damage.

Orthodox community activists gathered a month ago in the, 'De Merkiz' hall in Williamsburg, at the initiative of Agudath Israel of America. Representatives of the communities Satmar, Papa, Square, Bobov, Chabad, Vizhnitz and more participated, to consult on the appropriate and effective way to fight against the new law. During the gathering the amount of $1.25 million was raised to help support the fight. Now, as mentioned, the first step to the struggle was carried out by filing the lawsuit.

Rabbis and organizations claim that the law is 'unconstitutional' and violates freedom of religion. According to them, the study is limited and filled with defects, and cannot be relied upon in a significant and sensitive issue like this. Prosecution also asked to impose a temporary order to freeze the law.

In contrast, the City Health Commissioner Thomas Pirelli said: "The city should protect its citizens, and it is important that parents know the risks of such proceedings."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!