During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, President Donald Trump criticized several countries’ decisions to recognize a Palestinian state, claiming it “rewards” Hamas.
“To encourage continued conflict, some members of this body are seeking to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state,” Trump stated. “The rewards would be too significant for Hamas terrorists for their atrocities. This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7.”
Trump stated that he is actively involved in efforts to achieve a cease-fire in and insisted on the release of all hostages. “We have to get it done,” Trump urged.
“This could have been resolved long ago, but instead of yielding to Hamas’ ransom demands, those seeking peace should unite with one message: release the hostages now,” he said, asserting that Hamas has “repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace.”
Trump’s stance on statehood contrasts sharply with that of several European leaders present.
France and Saudi Arabia co-hosted a conference on the debate surrounding Palestinian statehood at the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, where French President Emmanuel Macron formally declared France’s recognition of the state of Palestine.
“We are here because the time has come. The time has come for release of the 48 hostages held by Hamas. The time has come to stop the war, the bombardment of Gaza, the massacres and the flight of civilians,” , who affirmed that recognition is the “only solution that will bring peace to Israel” and validates the “legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”
The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal all of a Palestinian state on Sunday. U.K. Prime Minister said the recognition was announced “to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution” and serves as “a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”
Trump, similar to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the idea of recognizing a Palestinian statehood.
Trump addressed the U.K.’s move at alongside Starmer during his state visit last week. Regarding Palestinian statehood, Trump said, “I have a disagreement with the Prime Minister on that score. One of our few disagreements, actually.”
“I want the hostages released now, right now, not one or two… We have to remember Oct. 7, one of the worst, most violent days in the history of the world,” Trump stated, adding that he had spoken with freed hostages who recounted the inhumanity they experienced at the hands of Hamas militants during their captivity.
Before Trump’s U.N. General Assembly address, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “This will be one of his biggest foreign policy speeches yet. The world is going to see what American strength looks like. The globalists will be on notice.” that the President’s address would “articulate his straight-forward and constructive vision for the world.”
Following his speech, Trump is scheduled to meet with Muslim and Arab leaders to further discuss the Israel-Hamas war.
The President is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with U.N. Secretary General António Guterres, the leaders of Argentina, and representatives from the .
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