Diplomatic relations between Washington and Paris have taken a sharp turn after U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner, a longtime New Jersey developer and close ally of former President Donald Trump, publicly rebuked French President Emmanuel Macron for what he called a “failure to confront a dramatic rise in anti-Semitism” across France.
In a fiery open letter published in The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, Kushner accused Macron’s government of “emboldening extremists” and warned that anti-Jewish hatred in France had reached “historic and dangerous levels” since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
The French Foreign Ministry reacted swiftly, summoning Kushner to appear on August 25 to explain his remarks, calling his allegations “unacceptable.”
Kushner, 70, a Livingston resident until moving to New York more than a decade ago, was appointed ambassador by Trump after the 2024 election. He framed his letter as both a personal plea and a diplomatic warning. He invoked his family’s Jewish heritage and close ties to Israel, stressing the need for decisive government action.
“In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized,” said Kushner, the son of Holocaust survivors. “Your own Interior Ministry has reported antisemitic incidents even at preschools.”
He charged that Macron’s public support for recognizing a Palestinian state has “fueled violence” and “legitimized” pro-Hamas activists, further endangering French Jews.
Kushner noted that he and Trump “share Jewish grandchildren.” His son, Jared Kushner, is married to the president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump.
He also drew comparisons to Trump’s record on combating antisemitism, highlighting measures such as expanded FBI resources for synagogue security, strict visa vetting to bar extremists, and cutting funding to groups accused of promoting anti-Israel incitement:
“These measures prove that antisemitism can be fought effectively when leaders have the will to act,” Kushner stated, urging Macron to enforce hate-crime laws “without exception” and ensure “the safety of Jewish schools, synagogues, and businesses.”
Within hours of the letter’s publication, the French Foreign Ministry issued a sharply worded statement.
“The Ambassador’s allegations are unacceptable,” the ministry said.
Macron’s government defended its record, noting that since October 7, France has increased police protection around synagogues, deployed additional security forces to Jewish schools, and prosecuted individuals involved in antisemitic violence.
But privately, French officials expressed frustration that Kushner’s open letter bypassed established diplomatic channels and appeared to politicize an already sensitive issue.
Kushner’s intervention comes amid growing transatlantic tensions over the Gaza conflict and recognition of Palestinian statehood. Macron has emerged as one of Europe’s strongest critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war, condemning civilian casualties and calling for international recognition of a Palestinian state.
That stance has clashed directly with Trump-aligned Republicans in Washington, who continue to back Netanyahu unconditionally. Kushner’s letter followed a similar warning sent to Macron earlier in the week by Netanyahu himself, accusing France of “contributing to antisemitism” by supporting Palestinian recognition.
By publicly aligning himself with Netanyahu and Trump, Kushner has effectively inserted the U.S. Embassy into one of Europe’s most polarizing debates.
Kushner and Netanyahu are longtime friends; Netanyahu once visited the Kushner family at their Livingston home.
Kushner’s alarm reflects real concerns on the ground. According to France’s Interior Ministry, antisemitic incidents have surged since October 2023, with reports of vandalized synagogues, verbal abuse, and physical assaults.
Kushner is expected to meet with senior French officials on August 25, where he is likely to face pointed questions about U.S. intentions and the ambassador’s role in shaping policy.
In a statement, Republican Jewish Coalition CEO Matt Brooks lauded Kushner for calling out the French government.
“We thank Ambassador Kushner for his righteous moral clarity,” Brooks said. “U.S. leadership, at this critical moment in history, is more important than ever.”
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