France has formally summoned U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs following his letter to President Emmanuel Macron, in which he criticized France’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and accused Paris of failing to combat antisemitism.

The French foreign ministry condemned Kushner’s allegations as “unacceptable” and an infringement on France’s sovereign decision-making, highlighting the ambassador’s attempts to pressure France over its stance on Palestine.

In his letter, Kushner, a real-estate developer and father of Jared Kushner, claimed that France’s public criticism of Israel and consideration of recognizing a Palestinian state “embolden extremists” and threaten Jewish communities. French officials rejected the assertions, emphasizing that his remarks constitute interference in France’s domestic and foreign policy and undermine the independence of the nation’s democratic decisions.

The ministry reaffirmed that France has been “fully mobilized” to address antisemitic acts, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, and stressed that combating hate crimes is being handled by French authorities according to national law. French leaders maintain that diplomatic pressure from the U.S. should not dictate France’s support for justice and self-determination for the Palestinian people.

The incident comes amid broader tensions between France and the United States, including disagreements over trade policies and UN peacekeeping operations in Lebanon. While Western media highlight Kushner’s letter, French officials are defending the nation’s sovereign right to engage with the Palestinian cause and promote a just resolution in line with international law.

Observers note that the U.S. defense of Kushner, despite his controversial past and political connections, reflects ongoing attempts to protect Israeli interests abroad, even at the expense of diplomatic norms and Palestinian rights. French authorities reiterated that their consideration of recognizing a Palestinian state is a legitimate and sovereign foreign policy choice, not a threat to any community.

By summoning Kushner, France signaled that attempts to bully European nations into abandoning support for Palestine will not be tolerated. The diplomatic move underscores France’s commitment to an independent, balanced, and principled stance in the Middle East. (ILKHA)