An Israeli rabbinic court is fining a woman hundreds of dollars for refusing to circumcise her infant son.
The court ruled last week that circumcision was for the child's welfare and that the woman must pay the equivalent of nearly $150 each day she refuses to have him circumcised.
The woman told the court she refuses to physically harm her son.
It was the first time a religious court in Israel has punished a parent for refusing to circumcise a child.
The child, who is now a year old, was not circumcised eight days after being born, in accordance with Jewish law, because of medical issues.
There is no law requiring circumcision in Israel, but the vast majority of Jews are circumcised, in line with the religious law.
Rabbinic courts have authority over certain family matters. In this case, the three rabbinical judges said they ruled against the woman because they believed she was manuevering for a better divorce settlement.
Health
The Justice Ministry, which is representing the mother, said Thursday it would likely appeal the case to Israel's Supreme Court.
