His appointment as U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner created a diplomatic crisis. This all took place soon after he circulated a very public open letter on the topic—in the Wall Street Journal, no less. In the letter, Kushner – who is Jewish – articulated deep concern for the scary wave of antisemitism in France. His comments led the French government to summon him to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide an accounting.
Kushner’s letter was particularly timely, coinciding with French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement during a United Nations meeting in September that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state. The ambassador contended that these decisions only serve to create a wider climate of hostility against Jewish communities in France. At the same time, he warned that public statements condemning Israel only embolden radicals, provoking violence against Jews.
In his letter, Kushner wrote, “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.” He further elaborated on the alarming increase in antisemitic incidents, noting, “In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized.”
Kushner to tighten enforcement of hate-crime statutes. He similarly criticized the government for being too harsh in its criticisms of Israel. He suggested the recent rise in antisemitic attacks was a result of Macron’s government position on Palestine. He argued that acknowledging a Palestinian state has inflamed passions.
In an immediate rebuttal, the French Foreign Ministry said they stridently reject Kushner’s claims. A spokesperson for the ministry office described his comments as “unacceptable.” In their statements, they emphasized France’s commitment to combating antisemitism and defending the rights of Jews.
Kushner’s concerns come amid heightened tensions following Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked an ongoing conflict in Gaza. He contended that this escalation has fanned the flames of hatred against Jews in France. As a result, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented rise in antisemitic violence and attacks against Jews and Jewish organizations.
The ambassador’s strong relations with President Donald Trump’s family further complicate the situation. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is married to Ivanka Trump, the daughter of the U.S. president. This family tie could add another layer of pressure on Kushner’s comments and what they really mean for U.S.-France bilateral relations.
Against the diplomatic fallout, French President Emmanuel Macron has very publicly and repeatedly condemned antisemitism as contrary to French values. His administration is already taking important steps in order to address these issues nationwide. Kushner’s letter shows that he thinks that’s not enough.