US backs ambassador to France in anti-Semitism row
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Mr Charles Kushner, in a public letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, has accused France of a “lack of sufficient action”.
PHOTO: AFP
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PARIS - A diplomatic row between the United States and France escalated on Aug 25 when Washington decided to stand firmly behind its ambassador’s criticism of the French response to a rising tide of anti-Semitism.
US ambassador Charles Kushner, the father of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, was ordered to report to the French foreign ministry on Aug 25.
But, as Mr Kushner was absent, the US embassy’s charge d’affaires went in his place, and was received by two French foreign ministry directors, a French diplomatic source said.
The row erupted amid concerns about an increase in anti-Semitic acts and hate crimes in France as international tensions mount over the conflict in Gaza.
Mr Kushner, in a public letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, has accused France of a “lack of sufficient action”.
France retorted that “the allegations from the ambassador are unacceptable” and the rift deepened on Aug 25 when Mr Kushner was summoned to the ministry
“We stand by his comments,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. “Ambassador Kushner is our US government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role.”
In July, Mr Macron said France would formally recognise a Palestinian state
In a letter to Mr Macron that was released to the news media at the weekend, Mr Kushner alleged that such gestures “embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France”.
“President Trump and I have Jewish children and share Jewish grandchildren. I know how he feels about antisemitism, as do all Americans,” he wrote.
Mr Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka, was confirmed as France’s ambassador by the Senate in May.
France condemned the ambassador’s letter, but noted: “The rise in anti-Semitic acts in France since 7 October 2023 is a reality that we deplore and to which the French authorities are responding with total commitment, as these acts are completely unacceptable.”
‘Intolerable levels’
Members of France’s Jewish community have said the number of anti-Semitic acts has surged following the attack by Hamas on Israel
Last week, a group of 150 young Israeli tourists was refused entry to a leisure park in the south of France.
Prosecutors said they had placed the manager of the park under investigation on suspicion of discrimination based on ethnic origin or nationality.
In another incident in August, an olive tree planted in memory of a young Jewish man tortured to death in 2006 was felled outside Paris.
The cutting down of the memorial tree stirred outrage in France, with Mr Macron vowing punishment over an act of anti-Semitic “hatred”.
Between January and June 2025, 646 anti-Semitic acts were recorded in France, compared to 891 acts in the same period in 2024, according to figures released by the interior ministry on Aug 25.
However, this is more than double the 304 acts recorded between January and June 2023.
France is home to western Europe’s largest Jewish population at around half a million people, as well as a significant Muslim community sensitive to the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Mr Kushner’s remarks tally with those made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has accused Mr Macron of fomenting anti-Semitism.
On Aug 25, Equality Minister Aurore Berge defended the French government.
“The French government’s fight against antisemitism is unambiguous,” Ms Berge told broadcaster Europe 1-CNews.
“The issue is too serious. In my opinion, it is too important to be used as a diplomatic bargaining chip.”
She also acknowledged the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the West.
“I think we have reached levels that are absolutely intolerable,” Ms Berge said.
Nr Patrick Klugman, a lawyer for several French victims of the October 7 attacks, said anti-Semitism in France had reached historic levels but defended the government.
“Over the past six years, no anti-Semitic murder has been committed in France, while sadly several have occurred in the United States. The contrast is striking,” he said on X.
“No country is in a position to lecture others, and all must revise their approach.” AFP
