France has summoned the American ambassador, Charles Kushner, to Paris, following his accusation in a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron that the country was not adequately addressing antisemitism.
On Sunday, France’s foreign ministry declared Kushner’s claims “unacceptable” in a statement, further announcing that the U.S. diplomat was called to appear Monday at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
In his letter, Kushner, who is Jewish, asserted that the French government’s statements regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state have exacerbated antisemitic incidents within France.
Kushner stated, “Public statements criticizing Israel and moves towards recognizing a Palestinian state empower extremists, provoke violence, and imperil Jewish communities in France. In the contemporary context, anti-Zionism is unequivocally antisemitism.”
He additionally pressed the French government “to take decisive action: rigorously enforce hate-crime legislation, guarantee the security of Jewish educational institutions, houses of worship, and businesses … and cease actions that legitimize Hamas and its partners.”
In response, the French foreign ministry’s statement asserted that “France firmly rejects these allegations” from Kushner, noting that French authorities have “fully mobilized” efforts to counter an increase in antisemitic incidents following Hamas’s deadly assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. The ministry also described antisemitic acts as “intolerable.”
The ministry contended that Kushner’s assertions infringe upon international law and the duty to refrain from meddling in the domestic matters of another nation, further adding that they “also diminish the quality of the transatlantic alliance between France and the United States and the trust that ought to exist between allies.”
Conversely, the U.S. State Department expressed its support for Kushner and his remarks, according to spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Sunday evening.
Pigott stated, “Ambassador Kushner serves as our U.S. government representative in France and is performing excellently in promoting our national interests in that capacity.”
As the conflict in Gaza persists, President Macron has expressed criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while President Donald Trump has remained a steadfast supporter of the Israeli leader.
Charles Kushner, a real estate developer, is the father of Jared Kushner, who is married to Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump.
Towards the conclusion of his initial presidential term, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, who had previously pleaded guilty to tax evasion and unlawful campaign contributions.