A significant diplomatic rift between the United States and France has intensified after Washington doubled down on its ambassador’s criticism of France’s response to a surge in antisemitic acts. The dispute led to the rare summoning of US Ambassador Charles Kushner by the French foreign ministry.
The controversy stems from a letter Ambassador Kushner sent to French President Emmanuel Macron. In it, he accused the French government of a “lack of sufficient action” in combating rising antisemitism. The State Department issued a firm statement of support for its envoy following the diplomatic rebuke.
US Stands Firmly Behind Ambassador Kushner
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott explicitly confirmed Washington’s position. “We stand by his comments,” Pigott stated. “Ambassador Kushner is our US government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role.” This unwavering support signals a deepening of the diplomatic impasse between the two allied nations.
France Denounces Criticism as “Unacceptable”
Conversely, French officials condemned the ambassador’s letter as “unacceptable.” They summoned Kushner to the Quai d’Orsay to formally express their displeasure. Despite the tension, the French government acknowledged the alarming reality of rising antisemitism, which has surged since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israeli Foreign Minister Labels French Move “Hypocrisy”
The dispute drew sharp criticism from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Responding to the French embassy’s announcement on social media, Sa’ar called the summoning “the height of hypocrisy.” He urged Paris to focus on substantively addressing Jew-hatred within its borders rather than lecturing others about diplomatic interference.
Antisemitic Incidents Reach “Intolerable Levels”
This diplomatic clash occurs against a backdrop of significantly heightened antisemitic acts across France. Recent incidents include the refusal of entry to a group of Israeli tourists at a leisure park and the felling of a memorial tree for a Jewish torture victim. French Equality Minister Aurore Bergé acknowledged the situation has reached “absolutely intolerable” levels.
Official figures from the French interior ministry reveal 646 antisemitic acts were recorded in the first half of 2025. This number, while slightly lower than the same period in 2024, is more than double the figure from 2023, underscoring a troubling upward trend. The French government maintains its commitment to fighting this hatred is “unambiguous.”
Underlying Tensions Over Palestinian Statehood
Further complicating the relationship are underlying tensions regarding Middle East policy. France’s announcement that it would move to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly has drawn fierce criticism from both Israel and the US. Critics argue such a gesture could embolden extremists and further endanger Jewish communities in Europe.
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