France summons U.S. ambassador after letter accusing Macron of fuelling antisemitism

France summoned U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner on Sunday after he published a letter accusing President Emmanuel Macron of failing to do enough to curb antisemitic violence, the French foreign ministry said.

Kushner, who is Jewish and whose son Jared is married to U.S. President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka, wrote the open letter in the Wall Street Journal. He urged Macron to enforce hate-crime laws more urgently and soften criticism of Israel, arguing that France’s statements about recognising a Palestinian state had emboldened antisemitic incidents.

“France has learned of the allegations made by the United States Ambassador, Mr. Charles Kushner, who, in a letter to the President of the Republic, expressed his concern about the rise in antisemitic acts in France and noted the alleged lack of sufficient action by the French authorities to combat them,” the ministry said. It called the allegations “unacceptable” and said Kushner would appear on Monday.

The letter followed one sent earlier in the week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Macron of contributing to antisemitism by supporting recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron has been one of Netanyahu’s sharpest critics over civilian casualties in Gaza, while Trump has maintained firm backing for the Israeli leader.

“Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France. In today’s world, anti-Zionism is antisemitism – plain and simple,” Kushner wrote.

Copied