France’s diplomatic relations with the United States faced scrutiny following a letter from Charles Kushner, the US ambassador to France. In his correspondence to President Emmanuel Macron, Kushner accused the French government of failing to adequately address antisemitism in the country. France’s Foreign Ministry urgently summoned Kushner to its headquarters on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. There, denial was swift and strong from officials on his extraordinary allegations.
Kushner’s letter highlighted a concerning rise in antisemitic incidents in France, especially after Hamas’s violent actions on October 7, 2023. For him, antisemitism has always been a scourge within French society, but is particularly exacerbated today. “Antisemitism has long scarred French life, but it has exploded since Hamas’s barbaric assault on October 7, 2023,” Kushner wrote. He further detailed the climate of fear, stating that “not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized.”
In an answer to Kushner’s accusations, France’s Foreign Ministry emphasized its dedication to fighting antisemitism. The Ministry stated, “The rise in antisemitic acts in France since October 7, 2023, is a reality that we deplore and to which the French authorities are fully committed.” They highlighted that progress has been made by the country to rectify these concerns and denounced any calls to imply the opposite.
Kushner encouraged Macron to implement current hate crime legislation without exception. He connected the shockingly high increase in antisemitic incidents to the public debate and discourse on Israel and Palestine. He argued that “public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France.” His comments implied that France’s plans to recognize a Palestinian state, which are set to happen this September, would only make the situation worse by increasing tensions.
Until very recently, Israel has been very outspoken in opposition to France’s plans. In a blistering letter to Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu countered that recognizing Palestine would be to “reward Hamas terror. He urged France to “abandon steps that give legitimacy to Hamas and its allies.”
France’s decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state is consistent with that country’s long-standing efforts to establish peace in the Middle East. Macron has further made clear that this initiative intends to bring the two-state solution back to life. This goal had long been the focus of a wide range of international advocates. France is not the only one making these efforts. Canada, Portugal, Australia and the United Kingdom have made, or conditionally made, announcements to that effect.
Kushner highlighted former US President Donald Trump’s work as examples of the kind of successful antisemitism initiatives that we would like to see in DC. He mentioned the enforcement of “civil rights protections for Jewish students on university campuses” as a measure that could serve as a model for France.
Though the mood surrounding Kushner’s letter and resulting diplomatic strife has been tense, the French government doesn’t appear to be wavering in their resolve. Currently, the situation as such does not satisfy us,” the Foreign Ministry said. Their goal is to keep the transatlantic relationship from deteriorating further.
