France has summoned the United States ambassador Charles Kushner after he accused the French government of failing to fight anti-Semitism and of supporting extremism through its position on Israel and Palestine. The French Foreign Ministry described his comments as “unacceptable” and warned that they crossed diplomatic limits.
The controversy began after Kushner published an open letter in The Wall Street Journal, where he argued that France was encouraging extremists by criticizing Israel and moving toward recognizing a Palestinian state. He wrote that “Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism – plain and simple,” and claimed that French policies were putting Jewish life in danger.
French leaders quickly rejected these remarks. Officials stressed that France is fully committed to fighting anti-Semitism and protecting its Jewish community. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry said Kushner’s comments broke the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs and did not reflect the long-standing partnership between Paris and Washington. They also defended France’s position on Palestinian statehood, explaining it is guided by international law and does not contradict the fight against anti-Semitism.
The United States, however, stood behind its envoy. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Kushner is “doing a great job advancing our national interests in France.” This strong backing shows the widening rift between Washington and Paris over the Gaza war and the question of Palestinian recognition.
The dispute comes at a time when France and other European countries are becoming more critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which human rights groups describe as genocidal. Only days earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused French President Emmanuel Macron of fostering anti-Semitism by supporting Palestinian statehood. The French presidency rejected that accusation as “abject,” repeating its commitment to protect Jewish citizens while pursuing a two-state solution.
Rights advocates continue to warn that accusations of anti-Semitism are increasingly being used to silence criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, where Palestinians face mass displacement, hunger, and daily airstrikes.
This latest diplomatic row highlights growing divisions between the US, Israel, and European allies, raising questions about the future of cooperation on Middle East peace efforts.
