Trump rejects recognition of Palestine State, says it’s gift to Hamas

United States President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss their differing views on Gaza and Palestinian statehood.

Trump rejected the two-state solution, calling it a “reward” for Hamas, according to CNN.

France recently joined the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal in officially recognising the Palestinian state.

Opening the bilateral meeting, Trump praised Macron’s diplomatic efforts, saying the French leader had helped him prevent global conflicts.

“Emmanuel has actually helped me with a couple of the wars,” Trump said, responding to Macron’s remark that if Trump wanted a Nobel Peace Prize, he should “put an end to the war in Gaza.”

On Palestinian statehood, Trump reiterated that recognising a state would be a “gift to Hamas.”

He explained, “Well, I think it honours Hamas, and you can’t do that because of October 7. You can’t do that. But we want our hostages back. You always have to remember, people forget October 7 was one of the most savage days in the history of the world,” he said.

Macron, seated beside Trump, stressed that recognising a Palestinian state does not mean ignoring Hamas’ October 2023 attacks on Israel.