After he charged Paris with not controlling anti-Semitic violence and attacked its policy on Israel and Palestinian statehood, France summoned US Ambassador Charles Kushner.
Kushner maintained in an open letter published in The Wall Street Journal on Sunday that France’s opposition to Israel and steps toward acknowledging a Palestinian state encouraged radicals and threatened Jewish populations. “Anti-Zionism in today’s world is anti-Semitism—just and simple,” he wrote.
The French Foreign Ministry quickly dismissed the comments, deeming them “unacceptable” and a breach of diplomatic protocol. In a statement, it stated, “France vigorously rejects these most recent claims.” While charging the ambassador with meddling in French internal affairs, the ministry emphasized that Paris is “fully committed” against anti-Semitism.
The ministry continued, “Moreover, they fall short of the caliber of the transatlantic link between France and the United States and the trust that should follow among partners.”
The dispute exposes increasing disagreements between the two allies regarding the war in Gaza. France has been among the most vocal in its condemnation of Israel’s military operations, which human rights organizations claim add up to genocide, and is mulling acceptance of a Palestinian state.
The US State Department, however, supported Kushner’s comments. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott declared, “Ambassador Kushner represents our country in France and is successfully promoting our national interests in that capacity.”
