San Francisco to vote on circumcision ban

However, should San Franciscans vote in favour in November, there are likely to be legal challenges from individuals and religious organisations on the grounds of the ban being unconstitutional and breaching the First Amendment right to religious freedom.

Lloyd Schofield, the activist behind the plans, said he believed the debate on circumcision "was a conversation that needed to happen". He has compared it to tattooing a child and called it "genital mutilation".

Rabbi Gil Yosef Leeds, a mohel from Berkeley in San Francisco, said that even considering such a plan was a worrying sign.

He said: "For a city that's renowned for being progressive and open-minded, to even have to consider such an intolerant proposition, it sets a dangerous precedent for all cities and states."

The Agudath Israel of America organisation called the proposal "an unprecedented assault on Americans' freedom of religion".

"The San Francisco proposal should be roundly and soundly defeated by a large majority of that city's voters, who cherish liberty and its protection," they said. "We trust that such will happen."