France has summoned the U.S. Ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, after he sent a letter to President Emmanuel Macron accusing him of failing to address the rise of antisemitism in the country.
In a statement issued on August 24, the French Foreign Ministry described the letter as an unacceptable interference in domestic affairs:
“France firmly rejects these accusations from Ambassador Kushner. His claims violate international law and the obligation of non-interference in the internal affairs of another country. They also undermine the quality of the transatlantic partnership between France and the United States, as well as the trust that must prevail among allies,” the statement read.
The ambassador has been summoned to appear today at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
On the other hand, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott defended Kushner, saying:
“Ambassador Kushner is our government’s representative in France and is doing an excellent job advancing our national interests in that role.”
The diplomatic clash comes at a time when President Macron has already rejected accusations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed that France’s stance on recognizing a Palestinian state is fueling antisemitism.
