French President Emmanuel Macron used his final appearance at the United Nations to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump’s portrayal of his Gaza peace initiative as a diplomatic success, arguing that conditions in the enclave had not reflected the declared breakthrough.
Speaking to the General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Macron pointed to the lack of reopened humanitarian access in Gaza, saying no humanitarian corridor had been restored despite Trump’s claims that peace had been achieved.
His remarks came only hours after Trump addressed the same assembly hall and presented his Gaza plan as a major diplomatic achievement.
Macron also linked the situation in Gaza to the question of Palestinian statehood, recalling that around a dozen countries had recognized Palestine a year earlier.
He questioned what value such recognition could have if governments remained inactive over the situation in Gaza, warning against accepting claims of peace without corresponding changes on the ground.
White House Defends Trump’s Record
As reported in Reuters, the White House rejected Macron’s criticism, saying Trump had ended the war between Israel and Hamas, secured the release of all living hostages and returned the remains of those who had died to their families.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump was also leading the implementation of a 20-point peace plan for Gaza.
“While others talk, this President took this complex problem head on,” Kelly said, adding that no one had done more for peace and stability in the region.
Macron has faced criticism from some French politicians and activists who argue that he has done too little since France recognized a Palestinian state last September.
At the same time, Paris has adopted tougher measures over violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. France has imposed national sanctions and begun a process aimed at banning products from Israeli settlements in the occupied territory.
Macron Warns of West Bank Consequences
Macron said developments in the West Bank were also threatening the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.
He pointed out that Hamas had not operated in the West Bank and questioned the justification for what he described as continuing violations there.
According to Macron, the situation was making it increasingly difficult to pursue a political project based on respect for the Palestinian people’s legitimate right to exist.
Relations between France and Israel have become particularly strained over the past year. Macron also rejected the idea that compromising the sovereignty of Israel’s neighbors would ultimately make Israel safer.
Instead, he said such actions were weakening Israel’s security both in the present and the future.
Macron’s Final U.N. Address
Macron’s speech was his last at the United Nations before he leaves office next May. He first addressed the General Assembly in 2017, and his farewell appearance came seven months before France’s next presidential election.
A consistent defender of the multilateral system, Macron used the closing part of his address to warn against what he called a return to a global “law of the jungle.”
He said countries faced a choice between a world governed by power and coercion and what he described as a “civilized international society.”
“Our duty, more than ever, is to stand alongside the United Nations,” Macron said. “We cannot accept the new order of impunity that some would like to build.”
He ended his final U.N. speech with a declaration of support for the organization: “Long Live the United Nations!”
