France is summoning the US ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, over his recent claims regarding rising antisemitism in the country. Kushner, who is Jewish and related to former President Donald Trump, made these comments in an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron published in the Wall Street Journal. He claimed there has been a surge of hatred towards Jews in France since the onset of the Gaza conflict. The French government firmly rejected these allegations, calling them "unacceptable," and stated that Kushner is expected to appear for discussions.
In his letter, Kushner urged Macron to moderate his criticism of Israel and pointed out instances of antisemitism that he argued have long impacted French society. He cited examples of violence against Jews and vandalism of Jewish sites, claiming that even preschools have witnessed antisemitic incidents, as documented by the French Interior Ministry. He expressed his willingness to work alongside Macron and other officials to develop a serious response to the issue.
The ministry emphasized that, according to the 1961 Vienna Convention, ambassadors aren't permitted to interfere in domestic matters of other countries. Kushner's remarks resonated with accusations previously made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wrote to Macron as well, asserting that the French leader contributed to antisemitism by advocating for international recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron, meanwhile, stressed the importance of establishing a viable Palestinian state that recognizes Israel's right to security.
The ongoing conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has led to significant casualties and alarming humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where more than half a million people are reportedly facing catastrophic situations due to starvation. Israel has refuted these claims, labeling them as false. In light of rising antisemitism, Macron has stepped up security protections for Jewish institutions in France and has publicly denounced antisemitism as contrary to French values.
In his letter, Kushner urged Macron to moderate his criticism of Israel and pointed out instances of antisemitism that he argued have long impacted French society. He cited examples of violence against Jews and vandalism of Jewish sites, claiming that even preschools have witnessed antisemitic incidents, as documented by the French Interior Ministry. He expressed his willingness to work alongside Macron and other officials to develop a serious response to the issue.
The ministry emphasized that, according to the 1961 Vienna Convention, ambassadors aren't permitted to interfere in domestic matters of other countries. Kushner's remarks resonated with accusations previously made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wrote to Macron as well, asserting that the French leader contributed to antisemitism by advocating for international recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron, meanwhile, stressed the importance of establishing a viable Palestinian state that recognizes Israel's right to security.
The ongoing conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has led to significant casualties and alarming humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where more than half a million people are reportedly facing catastrophic situations due to starvation. Israel has refuted these claims, labeling them as false. In light of rising antisemitism, Macron has stepped up security protections for Jewish institutions in France and has publicly denounced antisemitism as contrary to French values.
