Overview

• France’s foreign ministry said Charles Kushner was summoned after he alleged the government has not done enough to counter a post–Oct. 7 rise in antisemitism.
• The U.S. State Department said it stands by Kushner’s comments, calling him the American government’s representative in France who is advancing U.S. interests.
• French officials met Monday with the embassy’s deputy because Kushner was absent, reiterating that the allegations misrepresent authorities’ efforts to fight antisemitism.
• In his letter, Kushner argued that French criticism of Israel and moves toward recognizing a Palestinian state embolden extremists, a stance Paris firmly refuted.
• The dispute unfolds as France plans to seek recognition of Palestinian statehood at the U.N. General Assembly in September, a policy that has drawn rebukes from Israel and the United States.