US Ambassador Criticizes Antisemitism in France
A serious disagreement has arisen between the US Ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, and French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the issue of antisemitism. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
On August 24, in an open letter published in The Wall Street Journal, Kushner criticized the French government for not responding adequately to hate speech against Jews. The ambassador emphasized that the level of antisemitism in France is sharply increasing.
He stated that attacks against Jews occur daily in the country, synagogues and schools are being desecrated, and businesses owned by Jews are subjected to vandalism. The US representative called on Macron to enforce hate crime laws more strictly and to soften the tone when criticizing Israel.
Kushner also said that the French government's statements regarding the recognition of the Palestinian state have contributed to the rise in antisemitism. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected such accusations.
In an official statement, the ministry acknowledged that antisemitic acts have increased but stressed that the government is taking strict measures to prevent them. Furthermore, the ambassador's statements were regarded as interference in the country's internal affairs.
For this reason, Charles Kushner was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 25. It is reported that Charles Kushner is the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump.
His son Jared Kushner is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, who converted to Judaism in 2009. Kushner's letter was published following a critical letter sent to Macron by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu also accused France of fueling antisemitism by recognizing Palestine on the international stage. Additionally, Macron is considered one of the leading European figures openly criticizing the war in Gaza.
His intention to recognize the Palestinian state at the UN caused sharp discontent in Israel. Moreover, Macron considers antisemitism contrary to French values and has strengthened the protection of religious centers.
France is home to a Jewish community of about half a million and a Muslim population of several million. Since the war in Gaza began, hate crimes have sharply increased in both communities.
Thus, Kushner's letter is further complicating relations between France, the US, and Israel, causing serious disputes on the international stage.
