US Embassy in Belgium Launches Sharp Attack Against Moshe Aryeh Friedman

The US Embassy in Belgium issued a sharp condemnation of Moshe Aryeh Friedman, who presents himself as a rabbi and spokesperson for the Jewish community. The embassy clarified that Friedman does not represent any recognized Jewish body, spreads fake news, and maintains ties with Holocaust deniers. The Israelite Consistory of Belgium revoked his rabbinical title years ago. Friedman participated in the 2006 Tehran Holocaust denial conference and was photographed hugging then-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The embassy called on media and politicians to stop giving him a platform.

The US Embassy in Belgium issued an unusual and unprecedented statement against Moshe Aryeh Friedman, who presents himself as a rabbi and spokesperson for the Jewish community. The statement, signed by the ambassador, clarified that Friedman does not represent any recognized Jewish institution or community and has no official or religious mandate in Belgium. The Israelite Consistory of Belgium, the official body representing the Jewish faith in the country, has repeatedly stated that Friedman has no leadership role and is referred to as "Mr. Friedman" rather than "Rabbi Friedman." The embassy noted that his status as a rabbi was revoked years ago. The Jewish community in Vienna, where he previously lived, declared in 2006 that he never received a recognized rabbinical diploma. Friedman faced international condemnation for his participation in the 2006 Tehran Holocaust denial conference, where he was photographed hugging then-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He was expelled from the Jewish community in Vienna due to his ties with anti-Semitic circles. The embassy called on media and politicians in Belgium to stop giving him a platform as a supposed Jewish authority, describing his statements as outright fake news. The statement represents a dramatic step against Friedman's impersonation attempts.