U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner Urges French President Emmanuel Macron to Intensify Anti-Semitism Crackdown in Paris Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner Urges French President Emmanuel Macron to Intensify Anti-Semitism Crackdown in Paris Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Diplomatic fireworks erupted this week as the United States and France found themselves at odds over how to combat anti-Semitism, with a high-profile letter from Washington adding fuel to the fire.

The dispute centers on U.S. Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, and his message to French President Emmanuel Macron regarding France’s policies in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.


Kushner Urges France to Take a Hard Line

In a letter sent Sunday evening, Ambassador Kushner called on President Macron to intensify efforts against anti-Semitism across France.

The diplomat warned that “public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France.”

Kushner, who happens to be the father of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, urged Macron to take decisive steps: strictly enforce hate-crime laws, safeguard Jewish schools, synagogues, and businesses, and avoid any actions that might give legitimacy to Hamas or its allies.


France Responds With Displeasure

Paris didn’t take the letter lightly. The French government summoned Kushner to the capital and issued a statement calling his allegations “unacceptable” and “inflammatory.”

France’s foreign ministry also claimed that the letter breached international norms by meddling in France’s domestic affairs, emphasizing that it undermined the trust necessary between allied nations.


U.S. Stands Firm Behind Ambassador

Despite the French backlash, the State Department expressed strong support for Kushner.

A spokesperson told the press that the ambassador “is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role,” signaling Washington’s backing amid rising tensions.


Macron’s Government Defends Its Approach

France insists it is fully committed to fighting antisemitism, which has reportedly risen since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict two years ago.

Macron’s administration also defended its controversial plan to recognize the statehood of Palestine, following a path similar to other Western allies like Australia and Canada.

The French government criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what it described as “erroneous” claims that France was fueling anti-Jewish sentiment.


France’s Jewish Community and Rising Concerns

France is home to the largest Jewish population in Europe and the third-largest globally, with roughly 500,000 Jewish citizens.

This context heightens the sensitivity of the diplomatic spat, as Jewish communities watch closely for government action and protection in response to antisemitic threats.


U.S.-France Relations Tested

This incident underscores how U.S.-France relations have been strained over America’s unwavering support for Israel.

The Kushner letter adds another layer of complexity to transatlantic diplomacy at a time when careful coordination is vital.


Charles Kushner’s Controversial Background

The ambassador’s history adds further intrigue. Charles Kushner previously pleaded guilty to tax evasion and making illegal campaign contributions, only to receive a pardon from former President Trump.

His son, Jared Kushner, served as a senior adviser in the Trump White House and was considered a key member of the president’s inner circle during his first term.