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US weighs blocking French ambassador pick over human rights spat

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The US is considering blocking France's ambassador nominee to Washington due to public French criticism of the US human rights record.
  • The dispute stems from a social media post by France's UN mission criticizing the US vote against extending the UN human rights chief's mandate.
  • This potential diplomatic move could further strain relations between the two allied nations, which have already seen friction over trade and the Iran war.

The United States is contemplating a significant diplomatic rebuke of France by delaying or rejecting its nominee for ambassador to Washington. This potential action stems from "genuine anger" among some senior US officials over public French criticism of the United States' human rights record. The friction was ignited by a social media post from France's mission to the United Nations in Geneva, which stated, "The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore." The post criticized Washington for voting against extending the mandate of the UN human rights chief.

The United States is very disappointed in the irresponsible and disrespectful rhetoric from the French. We are responding appropriately to their comments.

— State Department officialResponding to France's criticism of the US human rights record.

A State Department official confirmed the US disappointment, stating, "The United States is very disappointed in the irresponsible and rhetorical rhetoric from the French. We are responding appropriately to their comments." The nominee, Aurelien Lechevallier, a former Elysee aide, was expected to be installed by September. However, the US reaction could widen existing rifts between the allies, who have recently clashed over tariffs and the Iran war.

The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore. The world no longer listens to it.

— France's mission to the United Nations in GenevaA social media post criticizing the US vote against extending the UN human rights chief's mandate.

Adding to the tension, the US delegation walked out of a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine when France addressed the session, accusing its ally of "disingenuous grandstanding." Despite the diplomatic spat, a French diplomatic official emphasized that France's support for the UN human rights chief does not undermine the relationship, stating, "Differences of opinion regarding a vote do not call into question the quality of our relationship or our ability to work together."

Differences of opinion regarding a vote do not call into question the quality of our relationship or our ability to work together.

— French diplomatic officialCommenting on the diplomatic tensions between France and the US.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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