WASHINGTON (AP) - France has officially summoned the American ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, following his recent letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, in which he accused France of inadequately addressing antisemitism. This diplomatic action reflects France's displeasure with Kushner's remarks, emphasizing that such allegations are "unacceptable."
The Foreign Ministry of France announced the summoning, indicating that Kushner will be required to appear at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. A statement released by the ministry firmly rejected Kushner's claims, stating that French authorities have taken comprehensive measures to combat the rise in antisemitic acts, especially since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, which the ministry condemned as "intolerable."
The content of Kushner's letter has not been made public, but the French ministry asserted that his allegations violate international law and infringe upon the principle of non-interference in another country's internal affairs. They further stated that such statements undermine the quality of the transatlantic partnership between France and the United States and the trust that should prevail among allies.
This incident comes on the heels of recent tensions between France and the U.S., particularly in light of Macron's recent rejection of accusations from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu claimed that France's intention to recognize a Palestinian state contributed to the increase in antisemitism, a statement that Macron refuted last week.
France boasts the largest Jewish population in Western Europe, estimated at approximately 500,000 individuals, making up about 1% of the national population. The ongoing diplomatic discord between the two nations arises amidst broader issues impacting French-U.S. relations this year, including economic tensions related to Trump's trade policies and disagreements regarding the future of U.N. peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.
French objections particularly focus on the U.S. push to diminish the UNIFIL operations, which is under review by the U.N. Security Council. Additionally, divergences have emerged regarding military support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia, although recent interactions between Trump and European leaders have softened some of these tensions.
It is noteworthy that Trump, during his presidency, pardoned Charles Kushner, who had previously admitted guilt to charges of tax evasion and making illegal campaign contributions. Charles Kushner is also known as the father of Jared Kushner, who served as a senior adviser in the Trump administration and is married to Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka.
