France has announced that it will summon the United States ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, after he accused the French government of failing to adequately confront a surge in antisemitism. The comments, published in an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron in the Wall Street Journal, have sparked diplomatic tensions between the two allies. Kushner, who is Jewish and whose family has deep ties to US President Donald Trump, argued that antisemitism in France had escalated dramatically since the war in Gaza began. He alleged that Jews in the country face harassment, vandalism, and physical assaults on a near-daily basis, with synagogues, schools, and businesses frequently targeted.
In his letter, Kushner pressed Macron to reduce criticism of Israel and instead commit to closer cooperation on fighting antisemitism. He insisted that the problem is not new, describing antisemitism as a long-standing scar on French society, but warned that recent events had magnified it. He also offered to work directly with Macron and other French leaders on what he called a “serious plan” to address the crisis.
The French Foreign Ministry strongly rejected Kushner’s accusations, describing them as unacceptable and a violation of diplomatic norms. Officials reminded Washington that under the 1961 Vienna Convention, ambassadors are prohibited from interfering in the domestic affairs of the host country. A ministry spokesperson emphasized that France has already taken firm measures to counter antisemitism, including deploying security forces to protect Jewish communities, increasing surveillance at schools and synagogues, and publicly condemning antisemitic incidents. Macron himself has repeatedly described antisemitism as an attack on the values of the Republic.
Kushner’s remarks echoed recent criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also accused Macron of enabling antisemitism by supporting international recognition of a Palestinian state. France has confirmed that it will officially recognize Palestine in September, a move Macron said was essential for achieving long-term peace and security in the Middle East. He stressed that recognition of a Palestinian state would have to come with full acknowledgment of Israel’s right to exist, as well as guarantees that a demilitarized Palestinian state would contribute to regional stability. Netanyahu, however, argued that such recognition undermines Israel’s security and emboldens hostility.
The timing of these diplomatic clashes is significant, as they come against the backdrop of the devastating war in Gaza. The conflict was ignited by the Hamas-led assault in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage. In response, Israel launched a large-scale offensive that has since killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The humanitarian situation in the enclave has become catastrophic. Last week, international monitors confirmed a famine in Gaza City, reporting that more than half a million people are facing starvation and desperate conditions. Israel rejected the report, calling it a fabrication, but images and accounts from aid groups suggest widespread hunger and deprivation.
France’s position has been complicated by its dual commitments: a long-standing defense of Israel’s security and a parallel recognition of Palestinian rights. Macron has condemned Hamas’s October attack as terrorism but has also criticized Israel for what he described as disproportionate military actions. His decision to move forward with Palestinian recognition represents one of the most consequential policy shifts in recent French foreign policy, and one that has attracted fierce reactions from both Washington and Jerusalem.
For France, the dispute with Kushner highlights the delicate balance it must maintain. Domestically, Macron faces pressure to protect Jewish communities, who have reported a sharp rise in threats and attacks since the Gaza war began. Internationally, France is attempting to position itself as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while navigating its strategic partnership with the United States. Summoning the American ambassador is a rare step, one that underscores just how seriously Paris views Kushner’s accusations.
The unfolding situation illustrates not only the volatility of Middle Eastern politics but also the ripple effects they have across Europe. France has the largest Jewish community in Europe and also a significant Muslim population, making it particularly sensitive to tensions spilling over from the Gaza war. As Macron prepares to push forward with Palestinian state recognition, the backlash from Israel and its allies, including the United States, is likely to intensify. Whether this results in a diplomatic rift or renewed dialogue remains uncertain, but the controversy around Kushner’s letter has already made clear the growing strain in Franco-American relations at a time when unity is being tested on multiple fronts.