The French government has summoned US Ambassador Charles Kushner after he accused Paris of failing to do enough to combat anti-Semitic violence.
Kushner published an open letter in The Wall Street Journal, criticizing France’s plans to recognize a Palestinian state and its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France,” Kushner wrote. “In today’s world, anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism – plain and simple.”
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly responded to Kushner’s allegations, stating that France “firmly refutes these latest allegations” and considers them “unacceptable”.
The ministry emphasized that France is “fully committed” to fighting anti-Semitism. Furthermore, the ministry noted that Kushner’s comments went “against international law, and in particular the duty not to interfere in internal matters of states” by diplomatic personnel.
This sentiment was echoed by the French presidency, which called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s similar allegations “abject” and “erroneous”.
The US State Department has come out in support of Kushner, saying he is “doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role”.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated, “Ambassador Kushner is our US government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role”.
The diplomatic row between France and the US comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Israel has been imposing deadly hunger on Palestinians in Gaza, displacing and killing thousands, while France and other Western nations have announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state.
Critics argue that Israel’s supporters often invoke accusations of anti-Semitism to distract from the country’s abuses against Palestinians and silence debate around the issue.