US envoy Charles Kushner accuses France of failing to act on antisemitism

"Surveys show most French citizens believe another Holocaust could happen in Europe. Nearly half of French youth report never having heard of the Holocaust at all. What are children being taught in French schools if such ignorance persists?” Kushner asked.

His strongly-worded letter also goes on to accuse Macron of contributing to the escalating antisemitism – through his harsh criticism of Israeli actions during nearly two years of fighting, and by announcing intentions to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations meeting, saying such moves “embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France.”

He added: “In today’s world, anti-Zionism is antisemitism – plain and simple.”

A city employee cleans antisemitic graffiti off the "Wall of the Righteous" holocaust memorial in Paris (Image: Getty)AFP via Getty Images

Macron’s office rejected Netanyahu’s accusation as “abject” and “erroneous.”

In response to Kushner’s letter, Paris said it would summon Kushner the next day.

The French Foreign Ministry released a statement saying it “firmly refutes” the allegations, which it considers “unacceptable.”

The statement further accused Kushner of violating international law by allegedly interfering in domestic affairs and not meeting the “quality of the transatlantic link between France and the United States and the trust that must result from it between allies.”

The US State Department stood by Kushner’s comments, with spokesperson Tommy Pigott adding on Sunday evening that “Ambassador Kushner is our US government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role,” according to the Associated Press.

France is home to the largest Jewish population in Europe, with around half a million Jews living there.