A diplomatic row between the United States and France escalated on Monday when Washington decided to stand firmly behind its ambassador's criticism of the French response to a rising tide of antisemitism.

France has summoned the US ambassador Charles Kushner after he sent a letter criticising the French government for allegedly not doing enough to counter antisemitism. The US envoy, a real estate tycoon whose son Jared is married to US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka, made his comments public on Sunday.

France has summoned the American ambassador over a letter alleging the country did not do enough to combat antisemitism.