At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US President Donald Trump pushed back hard against moves by some countries to recognize a Palestinian state. He called it a dangerous reward for Hamas and their attacks, while stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Trump told world leaders that giving in to these efforts would just encourage more violence from Hamas terrorists. “As if to encourage continued conflict, some in this body are seeking to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state,” he said. This came right after several European nations announced their symbolic recognition of Palestine during a UN summit on Monday, a step that ramps up diplomatic pressure on Israel. The US has made it clear it won’t back this move.
Trump zeroed in on the October 7 atrocities, warning that recognition would reward Hamas even as they hold hostages and block a ceasefire. Instead, he urged unity against them: “Release the hostages now, just release the hostages.” He hammered home the urgency of ending the Gaza war. “We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have to negotiate peace. We got to get the hostages back,” Trump added.
In a sharper contrast, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen doubled down on Europe’s support for a two-state solution during her speech to the 80th UNGA. She announced plans for a new Palestine Donor Group to boost the economy of a future Palestinian state and a special fund to rebuild Gaza after the destruction.
“Gaza must be rebuilt,” von der Leyen said, highlighting Europe’s role as a key supporter of the Palestinian Authority amid the conflict. “When the night is darkest, we must hold fast to our compass, and our compass is the two-state solution.” She made it clear: the path to peace means a secure Israel, a viable Palestinian state, and wiping out Hamas’s influence.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas joined the conversation via video, delivering a tough message to Hamas and other factions. He demanded they hand over their weapons to the Palestinian Authority, insisting that only the Palestinian state can handle governance and security in Gaza.
“The state of Palestine is the only entity eligible to assume full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza,” Abbas stated. He painted a picture of a unified Palestinian state under one law and a single security force, with no room for armed groups. “Hamas and other factions must surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority. What we want is one unified state without weapons.”
Abbas thanked the UNGA for the New York Declaration from July, calling it a game-changer toward ending the humanitarian crisis, Israeli occupation, and building an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital—right next to a peaceful Israel. He pushed for an immediate, lasting ceasefire, full UN humanitarian aid access, release of all hostages and prisoners, and Israeli troops pulling out of Gaza. Reconstruction of Gaza and the West Bank should start right away through the Cairo International Conference, he said.
He didn’t hold back on criticisms, condemning Israeli actions like the siege, starvation, settlement expansion, annexation, and attacks on holy sites as threats to peace. Abbas also slammed Hamas’s October 7 killings and civilian detentions, tying it all to the need for real security without endless war.
The special UNGA session on the two-state solution was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. French President Emmanuel Macron used it to formally announce France’s recognition of the Palestinian state, adding more momentum to the diplomatic push.
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