France has announced it will summon its US ambassador, Charles Kushner, for a diplomatic meeting over his recent statements accusing the nation of inadequately addressing a surge in antisemitism. These remarks were made in an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron and echoed sentiments expressed by Israeli officials. Kushner, who has personal ties to former US President Donald Trump and his family, criticized France's response to antisemitism during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, asserting that incidents of hatred towards Jews have increased significantly.
According to a statement from the French foreign ministry, Kushner's allegations are deemed "unacceptable" and the ambassador is expected to appear on Monday. In his letter, he highlighted the alarming frequency of antisemitic violence in France, citing assaults on Jews and the vandalism of synagogues and Jewish businesses. He urged Macron to adopt a less critical stance towards Israel and expressed a willingness to collaborate with French leaders to combat the issue.
France’s foreign ministry reminded Kushner that under the 1961 Vienna Convention, ambassadors should refrain from meddling in the internal affairs of host nations. His assertions resonate with claims made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who previously accused Macron of fostering antisemitism through his calls for international recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron has announced plans to formally recognize Palestine by September, aiming to create a viable state that recognizes Israel’s right to exist.
Despite the criticism, Macron has consistently condemned antisemitism as antithetical to French values and has ramped up security measures to protect Jewish sites in light of the surge in incidents related to the Gaza conflict. As hostilities escalated due to a Hamas attack on Israel earlier this month, leading to significant casualties on both sides, concerns over humanitarian conditions in Gaza have also been raised. Reports indicate that more than half a million people in Gaza are facing dire conditions, with allegations of famine emerging amidst Israel's military response.
As France prepares to discuss these contentious issues with the US ambassador, the international community remains closely watchful of the implications for France's stances on both antisemitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
