France is summoning U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner to address his recent accusations of the country not adequately combating antisemitism. In an open letter published in the Wall Street Journal, Kushner criticized France's handling of growing anti-Jewish sentiments, asserting that incidents of violence and vandalism against Jews have surged since the outbreak of war in Gaza.
Kushner, who is Jewish and related to former President Donald Trump, urged French President Emmanuel Macron to reconsider his criticisms of Israel and noted that even preschools have reported incidents of antisemitism. France's foreign ministry vehemently rejected Kushner's claims, labeling them as "unacceptable." They emphasized the importance of respecting the established norms that prevent ambassadors from meddling in a nation's internal affairs, under the 1961 Vienna Convention.
The public spat comes in light of Macron's plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state, which he believes would promote peace in the Middle East. He has previously spoken against antisemitism and increased security for Jewish sites in response to unrest linked to the Gaza conflict. This conflict has resulted in significant casualties since its onset, with Israel responding to Hamas's attacks on October 7, leading to massive devastation in Gaza. Meanwhile, a recent report highlighted dire humanitarian conditions in the territory, which Israel has disputed.
