France has officially summoned its ambassador to the United States, Charles Kushner, in response to his recent remarks attributing a rise in antisemitism in the country to the ongoing Gaza conflict. The French Foreign Ministry condemned Kushner's statements as "unacceptable" in a formal announcement, indicating that he is expected to appear for discussions on the matter this coming Monday.
Kushner, who is of Jewish heritage and has familial ties to former President Donald Trump, expressed his views in an open letter published in the Wall Street Journal addressed to President Emmanuel Macron. In his letter, he indicated that there has been an alarming increase of antisemitic hostility in France since the outbreak of violence in Gaza, a sentiment shared by Israeli officials.
"Every day in France, Jews face assaults in public spaces, synagogues are vandalized, and schools experience antisemitic incidents," Kushner wrote. He emphasized the need for a collaborative effort to devise a serious strategy to combat this growing issue.
However, the French government has robustly rejected these accusations, asserting that ambassadors should not meddle in the internal matters of sovereign nations as per the guidelines set by the 1961 Vienna Convention. The tensions come on the heels of comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who previously communicated with Macron, claiming that France’s moves toward recognizing Palestine contribute to the rise of antisemitism.
Macron revealed plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state by September, aiming to ensure its viability while promoting Israel's security. He has emphasized that criticizing antisemitism aligns with France's core values by reinforcing protections around Jewish centers in light of rising incidents during the Gaza conflict.
The current conflict ignited on October 7, following a Hamas attack that resulted in significant casualties and widespread violence in the region. Official reports indicate that over 60,000 people in Gaza have died, while the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warned of catastrophic famine conditions affecting half a million individuals, a claim vigorously denied by Israel.
