France summoned the American ambassador after Charles Kushner accused the French government of fueling antisemitism through its stance on Israel.
At a Glance
- Charles Kushner published an open letter criticizing French President Emmanuel Macron.
- France summoned the U.S. ambassador in response to Kushner’s accusations.
- The French Foreign Ministry called Kushner’s claims “unacceptable.”
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also criticized Macron’s position on Palestine.
- The dispute comes amid wider U.S.-France-Israel tensions.
Kushner’s Letter and Macron’s Stance
Charles Kushner, real estate developer and father-in-law of Ivanka Trump, ignited a diplomatic flashpoint by publishing an open letter in the Wall Street Journal. In it, he argued that French President Emmanuel Macron has not done enough to combat antisemitism in France. He also claimed that Macron’s recent comments supporting international recognition of a Palestinian state encouraged antisemitic incidents.
Kushner urged Macron to enforce hate-crime laws more strictly and reconsider his rhetoric toward Israel. His intervention drew immediate attention, not only because of his familial connection to U.S. President Donald Trump, but also because it touched on one of the most sensitive debates in French political life: balancing criticism of Israel’s policies with the protection of Jewish communities in France.
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France Pushes Back
The French Foreign Ministry swiftly rejected Kushner’s allegations, labeling them “unacceptable.” In a formal move, Paris summoned the American ambassador to express its displeasure with the letter. This unusual step underscored how seriously France took the intervention by a politically connected American figure.
France has long struggled with rising antisemitic incidents, which its leaders have publicly condemned. However, French officials maintain that criticism of Israeli policies does not equate to antisemitism. Macron himself has warned against conflating the two, emphasizing that his government is committed to protecting Jewish citizens while also supporting Palestinian statehood.
Israeli Response and Broader Context
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined in criticizing Macron, suggesting that the French leader’s recent statements contributed to global antisemitism. His remarks echoed Kushner’s argument, aligning Israel’s position with Kushner’s plea for stronger French support.
This dispute comes at a delicate time. France has been navigating tensions with both Washington and Jerusalem over its Middle East policies. Macron’s call for recognizing a Palestinian state places him at odds with both the Netanyahu government and figures like Kushner who frame criticism of Israel as fueling antisemitism.
The episode illustrates how private voices with political connections can escalate into formal diplomatic incidents. By summoning the U.S. ambassador, France signaled that it would not let outside figures define its domestic debate on antisemitism or its foreign policy approach toward Israel and Palestine.
Sources
Reuters
France 24
Wall Street Journal
