France's President Emmanuel Macron plans to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations in September. Photo / Getty Images
France's President Emmanuel Macron plans to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations in September. Photo / Getty Images
France’s Foreign Ministry said today it would summon the US ambassador after he criticised the Government for what he said was its insufficient action against anti-Semitism in a letter to President Emmanuel Macron.
The letter from Charles Kushner, dated August 25 but leaked to the media today, echoedIsrael’s criticism of France days earlier, which provoked a sharp response from Paris.
Kushner’s letter to Macron noted that Monday was “the 81st anniversary of the Allied Liberation of Paris, which ended the deportation of Jews from French soil” under Nazi German occupation.
He wrote: “I write out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of anti-Semitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your Government to confront it...
“In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalised,” he added.
While “anti-Semitism has long scarred French life”, the ambassador argued that hatred of Jews “has exploded since Hamas’ barbaric assault on October 7, 2023”, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
“France firmly refutes these latest allegations,” said a Foreign Ministry statement in response, hours after the letter’s contents were made public.
“The allegations from the ambassador are unacceptable.”
The ministry said the 1961 Vienna Convention meant ambassadors were not permitted to interfere in a country’s internal affairs. Kushner would be summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Monday, it added.
‘Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism’
His remarks tally with those made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who last week accused Macron of fomenting anti-Semitism, saying it had “surged” in France following the French President’s announcement last month that he will recognise Palestinian statehood.
Macron’s Elysee office was quick to hit back at Netanyahu, calling the Israeli leader’s allegation “abject” and “erroneous”.
Like Netanyahu, Kushner denounced Macron’s criticisms of Israel over the war in Gaza and his planned recognition of a state of Palestine. Such moves, he said, “embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France”.
“In today’s world, anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism - plain and simple,” the ambassador added.
Charles Kushner is the US ambassador to France. His son is married to US President Donald Trump's daughter. Photo / Getty Images
“Surveys show most French citizens believe another Holocaust could happen in Europe. Nearly half of French youth report never having heard of the Holocaust at all.
“What are children being taught in French schools if such ignorance persists?” the letter read.
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.
Both communities have reported a spike in hate crimes since Israel’s retaliatory offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the besieged coastal strip.
Macron’s announcement that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a United Nations meeting in September drew a swift rebuke from Israel at the time.
