France has summoned the US ambassador Charles Kushner after he accused the French government of failing to combat anti-Semitism and of fueling extremism through its stance on Israel and Palestine.
The French Foreign Ministry called his allegations “unacceptable” and warned that they crossed diplomatic boundaries.
Kushner’s claims spark diplomatic backlash
In an open letter published in The Wall Street Journal, Kushner accused Paris of emboldening extremists by criticizing Israel and moving toward recognizing a Palestinian state.
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“Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism – plain and simple,” he wrote, adding that France’s policies endangered Jewish life in the country.
The comments quickly drew anger from French officials, who insisted the government is “fully committed” to fighting anti-Semitism.
France defends its position
A French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Kushner’s remarks violated the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs.
“Such allegations are unacceptable and do not live up to the quality of the transatlantic relationship between France and the United States,” the ministry said in a statement.
Officials also underlined that France’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state was based on international law and did not undermine its protection of Jewish citizens.
Washington stands by Kushner
Despite the backlash, the US State Department defended its envoy. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Kushner “is doing a great job advancing our national interests in France.”
The row highlights widening transatlantic divisions over the Gaza war and recognition of Palestinian statehood. France, along with other European nations, has voiced growing frustration with Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which rights groups describe as genocidal.
The dispute comes days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused President Emmanuel Macron of fostering anti-Semitism by backing Palestinian statehood. The French presidency dismissed those claims as “abject” and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Jewish citizens while pursuing a two-state solution.
Rights advocates argue that accusations of anti-Semitism are often used to silence criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, where millions of Palestinians face displacement, hunger, and daily bombings.
