France Summons US Ambassador Kushner Over Antisemitism Allegations

U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner publicly criticized the French government for insufficiently addressing rising antisemitism, warning that Jewish life in France is increasingly endangered, especially following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. Kushner's letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, which highlighted concerns over antisemitic violence and linked French government statements supporting Palestinian state recognition to fueling such violence, prompted France to summon him for a formal reprimand, calling his allegations unacceptable and a breach of diplomatic norms. The dispute follows similar tensions, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's accusations that France's stance on Palestine contributes to antisemitism, contrasting with Macron's criticism of Israel's Gaza war and Trump's strong support for Netanyahu. Kushner, who is Jewish and related to President Donald Trump through his son-in-law Jared Kushner, emphasized the Trump administration's efforts to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish communities. This diplomatic row adds to existing strains between the U.S. and France amid disagreements over trade and U.N. peacekeeping in Lebanon. It remains uncertain how this incident will influence broader U.S.-French relations or involve other international actors.