US Ambassador Faces France's Ire Over Letter Alleging Inadequacy in Countering Antisemitism
An unexpected development has arisen as the US ambassador to France was called in by the French government. The ambassador had penned a letter to the French President, suggesting that France was not doing enough to tackle the growing issue of antisemitism. This did not sit well with the French government, which deemed the allegations in the letter as "unacceptable".
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassador in response to this letter. The move to summon an ambassador is a clear and public display of disapproval, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
US Stands By Its Ambassador's Claims
Despite the controversy, the American side has backed the ambassador's comments. They believe he is doing an excellent job of representing the interests of the United States in France.
The ambassador in question is a well-known real estate developer and the father of the son-in-law of the former US president.
France Dismisses the Allegations
The French foreign ministry was quick to reject the allegations made by the ambassador. The ministry insisted that France has been actively battling the rise in antisemitic acts, particularly since an attack on Israel earlier. They found such antisemitic acts utterly "intolerable".
The ambassador's letter, which was released to public scrutiny, claimed that public criticism of Israel and gestures of recognition towards a Palestinian state were emboldening extremists, fanning the flames of violence, and endangering Jewish lives in France.
The letter urged the French President to enforce hate-crime laws without exception, safeguard Jewish schools, synagogues, and businesses, and withdraw steps that lend legitimacy to certain groups and their allies.
France Views the Allegations as Violation of International Law
The French ministry views these allegations as a breach of international law and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. They believe that these allegations fall short of the quality expected in the transatlantic partnership between France and the United States and the trust that should exist between allies.
The controversy comes following the French President's recent dismissal of accusations that France's intention to recognize a Palestinian state is stoking antisemitism.
It's worth noting that France is home to the largest Jewish population in Europe, and the third-largest in the world after Israel and the United States, comprising approximately 1% of the national population.
Previous Tensions in French-US Relations
This diplomatic discord emerges in a context of strained French-US relations. These tensions have been fueled by disagreements on trade and the future of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. France, in particular, has opposed the US's move to scale down the peacekeeping operation known as UNIFIL, with a vote on the issue scheduled for the end of the month by the UN Security Council.
Despite these disagreements, there have also been signs of solidarity and support. The former US president had recently expressed his support for security guarantees and had a cordial meeting with the French President and other European leaders.
As a side note, the ambassador who is at the center of this controversy was pardoned by the former president at the end of his first term. The ambassador had previously pleaded guilty to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. His son, who is married to the former president’s eldest daughter, served as a senior adviser to the former president.