President Donald Trump took aim at the decision from several countries to recognize a Palestinian statehood, arguing that it serves as a “reward” to Hamas during his address at the United General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
“As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state,” said Trump. “The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists for their atrocities. This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7.”
Trump said he has been “deeply engaged” in trying to procure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, and insisted that he wants all hostages to be released. “We have to get it done,” Trump emphasized.
“This could have been solved so long ago, but instead of giving into Hamas ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message, release the hostages now,” he said, arguing that Hamas has “repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace.”
Ahead of Trump’s U.N. General Assembly address, White House Press secretary Karoline Leavitt vowed it would “be one of his biggest foreign policy speeches yet” and that “the world is going to see what American strength looks like.” Leavitt maintained that the President’s address would “articulate his straight-forward and constructive vision for the world.”
Following his speech, during which he took aim at the United Nations and claimed they offered no help to him in his efforts to end world wars, Trump expressed his belief that his words had been “very well received.”
The President is now expected to host bilateral meetings with U.N. Secretary General António Guterres, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, the leaders of Argentina, and representatives from the European Union.
He is also set to meet with Muslim and Arab leaders, as well as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to further discuss the Israel-Hamas war.
Trump’s viewpoint regarding Palestinian statehood is in stark contrast to that of the European leaders in attendance at the U.N.
France co-chaired a conference alongside Saudi Arabia on the debate surrounding Palestinian statehood at the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, with French President Emmanuel Macron formally declaring that France recognizes the state of Palestine.
“We are here because the time has come. The time has come for the release of the hostages held by Hamas. The time has come to stop the war, the bombardment of Gaza, the massacres and the flight of civilians,” said Macron, who maintained that recognition is the “only solution that will bring peace to Israel” and affirms the “legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”
The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal all announced their recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday. U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the recognition was put forth “to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution” and serve as “a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”
Trump, much like Netanyahu, has previously condemned the idea of recognizing a Palestinian statehood.
Trump was asked about the U.K.’s move at a press conference alongside Starmer that took place during his state visit last week. On the topic of Palestinian statehood, Trump said: “I have a disagreement with the Prime Minister on that score. One of our few disagreements, actually.”
“I want the hostages released now, right now, not one or two… We have to remember Oct. 7, one of the worst, most violent days in the history of the world,” said Trump, adding that he had spoken with freed hostages who told him of the lack of humanity shown by Hamas militants during their captivity.
Netanyahu has condemned the growing number of countries recognizing Palestinian statehood, calling it an “enormous prize” for Hamas.
Read More: Israel Approves West Bank Settlement Project That Advocacy Groups Say ‘Guarantees More Bloodshed’
European leaders have since issued warnings to Israel, advising the country’s leaders against annexing parts of the occupied West Bank.
In August, Israel approved Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s plan to build more than 3,000 new housing units as part of a settlement project in the West Bank.
Following the recent move from many countries towards recognizing Palestinian statehood, Smotrich spoke of efforts to annex the West Bank by way of a response.
“The days when Britain and other countries determined our future are over, the mandate has ended, and the only response to the anti-Israeli move is sovereignty over the homeland of the Jewish people in Judea and Samaria, and the removal of the foolish idea of a Palestinian state from the agenda forever,” he argued.
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