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Ambassadors

France and US Clash Over Antisemitism Remarks

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Cabinet ministers and Jewish groups in France have sharply criticized remarks made by the US ambassador, Charles Kushner, accusing the French government of failing to take sufficient action against the "dramatic rise" in antisemitic incidents. Kushner wrote a letter to President Emmanuel Macron expressing concern over the lack of action, sparking a diplomatic row between the two countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, wrote a letter to President Emmanuel Macron criticizing the government for failing to take sufficient action against antisemitic incidents, which he described as a "dramatic rise".
  • Kushner's letter was published in the Washington Post on Sunday, leading to a diplomatic row between the two countries.
  • The French interior ministry reported that the number of antisemitic acts recorded in France in the first six months of 2025 had fallen by 27% compared with the same period last year, but remained significantly higher than in 2023.
  • French prosecutors have placed the manager of a leisure park under investigation on suspicion of discrimination based on ethnic origin or nationality after refusing entry to a group of 150 young Israeli tourists.
  • The US embassy refused to back down on Kushner's allegations, with a state department spokesperson expressing support for the ambassador's comments.
  • France's foreign ministry called Kushner's comments "unacceptable" and "a breach of trust between allies".

Statistics:

  • 646 antisemitic acts were recorded in France in the first six months of 2025, a 27% decrease from the same period in 2024.
  • Nearly two-thirds of these incidents targeted people, while the remainder targeted buildings or symbols.
  • France is home to western Europe's largest Jewish population, at about half a million people.
  • The number of antisemitic acts in France remains significantly higher than in 2023.
  • A group of 150 young Israeli tourists was refused entry to a leisure park in France, sparking an investigation into suspected discrimination.

Sources:

  • Agence-France Presse
  • Washington Post
  • French interior ministry
  • French equality minister Aurore Bergé
  • French foreign ministry
  • TF1 broadcaster

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