France to summon US Ambassador Kushner over criticism of Macron's handling of antisemitism

France will summon U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner after he criticized the French government’s handling of antisemitism, a Foreign Ministry official said Sunday.

The dispute stems from Kushner’s open letter in The Wall Street Journal to French President Emmanuel Macron, in which he argued that French authorities have failed to adequately address rising levels of antisemitism.

Kushner, who is Jewish, is also the father of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

"France has learned of the allegations made by the United States Ambassador, Mr. Charles Kushner, who, in a letter to the President of the Republic, expressed his concern about the rise in antisemitic acts in France and noted the alleged lack of sufficient action by the French authorities to combat them," the French Foreign Ministry stated.

"The Ambassador's allegations are unacceptable," the ministry stressed, adding that the U.S. envoy was expected to be summoned on Monday.

Kushner’s letter came against the backdrop of sharp diplomatic rifts between the U.S. and France over Israel, the Gaza war, and broader Middle East policy.

In his letter, the U.S. envoy urged the French government to reduce its criticism of Israel and enforce hate-crime laws at home. Kushner argued that France’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September has rewarded terrorism and fueled anti-Jewish incidents in France.

"Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France. In today's world, anti-Zionism is antisemitism – plain and simple," Kushner wrote.

Macron announced in July that France would recognize the “State of Palestine” at the United Nations in September. The French leader has claimed that such a diplomatic move would advance peace and stability in the Middle East.

“France remains committed to its historic duty to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine. I will issue a formal declaration at the United Nations General Assembly in September,” Macron stated.

France's diplomatic recognition also prompted the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia to make similar announcements.

However, the United States and Israel have criticized France and the other Western nations for rewarding Hamas. Some French Jewish leaders appear to share the sentiment.

Robert Ejnes, head of the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions (CRIF), France’s largest Jewish umbrella organization, warned that the surge in anti-Israel and anti-Jewish incidents in France since the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre has pushed many French Jews to consider moving to Israel.

France hosts Europe’s largest Jewish community, with an estimated 500,000 members. It is also home to between six and seven million Muslims, who make up roughly 10% of the country’s population.