The ‘yes’ to circumcision must be guaranteed in law,” demanded Lala Süßkind, former chairwoman of the Berlin Jewish community organization at the protest, which police said was attended by around 300 people.

Several Muslims and Christians joined the mainly Jewish demo, which took place under the motto “For religious freedom, against criminalization and authoritarianism.” The event was the latest episode in the ongoing row sparked by a Cologne court ruling that classified circumcision as bodily harm.

Süßkind said it was unacceptable “that incompetent and intolerant people are always having their say.” She added that the ritual was an important part of Jewish and Muslim identities, was medically accepted all over the world and had even been recommended by the World Health Organization.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also weighed into the debate, warning that it was being misunderstood abroad. “It is simply unimaginable that Jewish families in Germany will no longer be able to circumcise their boys,” he said.