Rabbi protests YouTube's ban on circumcision video

Rabbi Benjamin Holtzman from Kibbuz Ma'ale Gilboa recently celebrated the circumcision of his first grandson Lavi with family and friends. However, the joyful event was somewhat overshadowed by an incident that occurred online afterwards, and led to Holtzman sadly thought about how countries, leaders and organizations treated one of the most important Jewish traditions in the course of history.

According to Holtzman, one of the participants recorded the ceremony on their phone and uploaded them on YouTube to share them with family members. However, access to the video was blocked.

“What bothered me the most was the message on the website in which he explained the reason to block him,” said Holtzman. “It is said that 'Contents that endanger the emotional or physical health of minors cannot be published on YouTube – this reminded me of argument and excuses that were used in the course of history to try to abolish Jewish customs – especially to the circumcision ceremony.”

Holtzman added that the person who uploaded the video appealed to YouTube because of the block, but received a generic answer and the appeal was rejected.

Holtzman published a contribution in another social network (Facebook) in which the video block was described, and added: “The Greeks and Romans also prohibited the circumcision under the pretext of body damage. Apparently Antiochus (167 BC and now YouTube closes to them.”

“An appeal was also submitted on YouTube, and in contrast to Antoninus Pius, the emperor who freed Jews from the decree (but not other peoples who effectively prevent conversion), Youtube rejected the appeal and retained his ban on the uploading of circumcision ceremony videos,” he added. “I assume that the first distance was automatically due to the subject area of ​​the video, not because someone complained about the content, but when it comes to calling, you should devote more thoughts and thorough examinations for it.”

“I think there must be sensitivity to this topic, especially in view of the latest attempts in European countries, to say goodbye to circumcision,” said Holtzman. “Sometimes they call it 'damage to minors' and sometimes 'preservation of physical purity', but it combines a disturbing wave against Jewish traditions that have accompanied us for many generations, such as circumcision and koscher slaughter.”

Ultimately, according to Holtzman, the video for circumcision ceremony was uploaded to another Internet video -Sharing -Service, and the Happy Day memorial was distributed to family members.

YouTube replied: “We checked the video and found that it did not violate our community guidelines, as was shared in an educational, documentary film, scientific or artistic context (Edsa). However, since the video contains the nudity of minors, it is not suitable for all viewers and therefore has an age restriction.”

It should be noted that according to the company's child protection directive, content that contains the nudity of minors cannot be uploaded to the platform. However, there can only be very limited exceptions, but even in these cases the content can be subject to the age restrictions if it is not suitable for all ads of the audience.