Macron criticizes Israel and Trump before the UN General Assembly
In his last speech to the UN, the French president sharply criticized Israel's settlement policy and contradicted Donald Trump's claims about the Gaza war.
Quick Look
- French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank before the UN General Assembly and rejected Donald Trump's claims that he had ended the Gaza war.
- Benjamin Netanyahu called the speech grotesque.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Relations between France and Israel have been strained since France recognized a Palestinian state last year.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France:
»Some people boast about a supposed peace, but this peace has not opened the humanitarian corridors for a single second. Must we stand idly by and watch this spectacle that should shame us all? Never!”
In his last speech to the UN, Emmanuel Macron did not hold back from criticizing Israel's government, but also the international community. He complains about ongoing rights violations, especially by Israeli settlers.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France:
»Look what is happening in the West Bank, where violations are committed every day. In whose name? Hamas has never been active in the West Bank. Every day this undermines the very project of respecting the legitimate right to exist of the Palestinian people. (…) But anyone who claims that Israel's security depends on violating the sovereignty of all its neighbors is making a fatal mistake. They weaken and threaten Israel’s security for today and tomorrow.”
Macron also responded to the US President: Donald Trump had once again claimed in his UN speech that he had ended the war in Gaza and saved thousands of lives.
Donald Trump, US President:
»Some people only talk about peace, I create it. Since taking office, it has been my great honor to settle eight wars. Of course the war in Gaza..."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Macron's speech "grotesque" and "shocking." Relations between the two countries have been strained since France recognized a Palestinian state last year.
Macron will leave office in May. He also used his last appearance before the General Assembly to defend the United Nations as an institution.
Open Questions
- How does the international community react to Macron's allegations?
- What diplomatic consequences follow from the criticism?
