On Sunday, November 8th, in the Kadoorie synagogue, a special visitor was received by the Porto's community management and the Israeli ambassador in Portugal. Charles Kushner is the United States Ambassador to France. His tenure has been marked by vocal advocacy for Israel and Jewish communities.
A significant portion of the Jewish community in Porto is French, particularly within the study center once founded by Ilan Cohen—a young man from Marseille whose family originates from Djerba. Kushner's focus on combating antisemitism, strengthening U.S.-Israel ties, and promoting American economic and strategic interests is an evidence of his commitment to shared Western values.
As a Jew and the child of Holocaust survivors, Charles Kushner made fighting antisemitism a central pillar of his mission upon arriving in Paris. According to The New York Times, several Jewish leaders and organizations on both sides of the Atlantic have praised his willingness to speak forcefully on the issue.
In August 2025, Kushner published an open letter in The Wall Street Journal accusing French President Emmanuel Macron of taking insufficient action against antisemitism and arguing that French gestures toward recognizing a Palestinian state endangered Jewish life.
According to CNN, observers viewed the dispute as part of broader tensions over open U.S. involvement in European domestic affairs. Yet, beyond personal matters, Kushner’s actions have more to do with civilizational and foundational issues. Europe has a deep Jewish history. Jews have played a significant role in strengthening the Old Continent for centuries. For this reason, the European Commission has a plan to promote Jewish life between now and 2030.
