PARIS: The US ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, was on Monday ordered to report to the French foreign ministry after he criticised Paris for what he said was its insufficient action against antisemitism.

The diplomatic row comes with concerns about an increase in antisemitic acts and hate crimes in France as international tensions mount over the conflict in Gaza.

In a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, Kushner, who is the father of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, expressed his “deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France” and the French government’s “lack of sufficient action” to confront it.

France on Sunday evening said “the allegations from the ambassador are unacceptable” and added that Kushner’s letter, which was released to the media, violated international law.

US backs ambassador Charles Kushner in row with Paris

In July, Macron said France would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September, sparking irritation in Israel and the United States. Such gestures “embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France”, Kushner said.

“President Trump and I have Jewish children and share Jewish grandchildren.

I know how he feels about antisemitism, as do all Americans.” In a rare move between the allies, Paris said Kushner was summoned to the foreign ministry on Monday.

Kushner, whose son Jared Kushner is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, was confirmed as France’s ambassador by the United States Senate in May.

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.

Kushner’s remarks tally with those made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has accused Macron of fomenting antisemitism.

On Monday, Equality Minister Aurore Berge defended the French government’s record.

“The French government’s fight against antisemitism is unambiguous,” Berge told broadcaster Europe 1-CNews.

“The issue is too serious. In my opinion, it is too important to be used as a diplomatic bargaining chip.” She also acknowledged the rise in antisemitic incidents in the West.

“I think we have reached levels that are absolutely intolerable,” Berge said.

“There is a form of antisemitism in the air that is taking hold in all our democracies and that we are fighting against,” Berge said.

US backs Kushner

“We stand by his comments,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. “Ambassador Kushner is our US government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role.”

France condemned the ambassador’s letter, but noted: “The rise in anti-Semitic acts in France since 7 October 2023 is a reality that we deplore and to which the French authorities are responding with total commitment, as these acts are completely unacceptable.”

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025