United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday firmly opposed the recognition of a Palestinian state, describing the idea as a “reward” for Hamas during a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The meeting, which highlighted sharp policy differences between Washington and Paris over the future of Gaza, came just days after France joined the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal in formally recognising the State of Palestine.
According to CNN, Trump dismissed the long-discussed two-state solution, arguing that any move toward Palestinian statehood in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel would send the wrong message. “Well, 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,” Trump said, referring to the deadly assault that left over 1,200 people dead and triggered the ongoing Gaza war.
“You always have to remember, people forget October 7 was one of the most savage days in the history of the world,” Trump added, stressing that granting statehood now would effectively reward the group behind the assault.
The U.S. president’s remarks came after Macron suggested that achieving lasting peace in the Middle East would require renewed focus on the two-state solution. Seated beside Trump during their meeting, the French leader defended his government’s decision to recognise Palestine, clarifying that it did not mean excusing or overlooking Hamas’ actions.
“Recognising a Palestinian state does not mean ignoring the October 2023 attacks or undermining Israel’s right to security,” Macron said, reiterating France’s position that the establishment of a Palestinian state is essential for long-term regional stability.
The two leaders also discussed broader diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict, with Trump praising Macron’s role in mediating during global crises. “Emmanuel has actually helped me with a couple of the wars,” Trump said, in response to Macron’s earlier quip that if Trump wanted a Nobel Peace Prize, he should “put an end to the war in Gaza.”
The Gaza war erupted on October 7, 2023, after Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli territory, killing civilians and taking hostages. Israel responded with a sustained military offensive in the Gaza Strip, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
As the war nears its second year, divisions persist among Western allies over how to achieve peace. While several European nations have pushed for Palestinian recognition as part of a pathway to negotiations, Washington remains opposed, insisting that statehood must come as part of a negotiated settlement — not as a unilateral declaration.
