From the Liveblog of
Sunday, August 24, 2025
US envoy criticizes France’s lack of action on antisemitism
The US ambassador to France has written to President Emmanuel Macron to denounce his government’s insufficient action against antisemitism, days after similar remarks from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
US envoy Charles Kushner’s letter to Macron is dated August 25, which he notes is “the 81st anniversary of the Allied Liberation of Paris, which ended the deportation of Jews from French soil.”
Kushner is the father of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
In the letter, a copy of which has been obtained by AFP, he writes: “I write out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it.
“In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized,” he adds.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Macron of fomenting “antisemitism,” saying it had “surged” in France, following the French president’s announcement last month that he will recognize Palestinian statehood.
The Elysee hit back, calling Netanyahu’s allegation “abject” and “erroneous.”
“This is a time for seriousness and responsibility, not for conflation and manipulation,” the French presidency added.
The Times of Israel Community.