United States President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where they sparred over the future of Gaza and Palestinian statehood.
According to CNN, Trump dismissed the two-state solution, arguing it would serve as a “reward” for Hamas. His remarks came as France recently joined the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal in officially recognising a Palestinian state.
Opening the bilateral talks, Trump praised Macron’s diplomacy, crediting him with helping prevent “a couple of wars.” Macron, however, had previously remarked that Trump could earn a Nobel Peace Prize if he helped end the Gaza war.
Pressed on Palestinian statehood, Trump doubled down: “I think it honors Hamas, and you can’t do that because of October 7. You can’t do that. But we want our hostages back.” He further described the October 7 attacks as “one of the most savage days in the history of the world.”
Macron, seated beside him, countered that recognising a Palestinian state should not be seen as ignoring Hamas’ attacks.
The Gaza war, ongoing since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault on Israel, has since drawn fierce Israeli retaliation in the Gaza Strip, fueling sharp international divisions over how peace can be achieved.
