• French authorities summoned US Ambassador Charles Kushner over his remarks on antisemitism.
• Kushner criticized France's response to rising antisemitic incidents, linking them to government actions regarding Israel.
• The US State Department expressed support for Kushner's comments amidst the escalating diplomatic row.

France has summoned US Ambassador Charles Kushner following a letter where he accused President Emmanuel Macron’s government of failing to adequately address the rising antisemitism in the country. The French Foreign Ministry labeled Kushner's statements as “unacceptable,” affirming their commitment to combatting hate crimes, especially since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which they acknowledge has led to increased antisemitic acts, as reported by SCMP and Reuters.

Kushner's letter, published in The Wall Street Journal, argued that "not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized," and urged Macron to enforce stronger hate-crime laws. His claims echoed similar criticisms from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Macron of fostering an environment of antisemitism through statements regarding Palestinian statehood, which France plans to formally recognize at a UN meeting in September, according to Al Jazeera and The Local.

In reaction to the tensions, the US State Department stood firmly behind Kushner, reiterating that he is "doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role." The ambassador's criticism is perceived amidst a broader context of increasing antisemitic incidents in France, which report spikes linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. French officials emphasized that such allegations violate the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and undermine the trust necessary between allies, as detailed by CBS News and Le Monde.

Members of the Jewish community in France have voiced concerns over the increasing antisemitic incidents. Although the French foreign ministry acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, they maintain that the government is fully committed to combating these acts. In contrast, some officials, including French Equality Minister Aurore Berge, assert that France’s government actions against antisemitism remain clear and firm, as shared by SCMP and AA.