President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron, during the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
As Trump pushes back on Palestine recognition, France’s president defends his support for Palestinian statehood, calling Israel’s war on Hamas futile and threatening sanctions if Israel annexes Judea and Samaria.
By David Rosenberg, World Israel News
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday defended his policies vis-a-vis Israel and the war in Gaza, criticizing Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza as he threatened to impose new sanctions on the Jewish state.
Speaking at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Week, Macron told France24 that his government could impose sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza and in response to the annexation of Judea and Samaria.
Annexation, he added, was a “red line” not only for France and the European Union, but for the Trump administration as well, claiming that President Donald Trump had signaled to him America’s opposition to any such action, over concerns it could jeopardize the Abraham Accords.
“[Trump] said that ‘Europeans and Americans are on the same page,’” Macron said.
“It would also be the end of the Abraham Accords, which was one of the success stories from Trump’s first administration. The United Arab Emirates were very clear on it, and I think it is a red line for the USA.”
Regarding Israel’s war on the Hamas terror organization, Macron warned that “if things continue as they have been in Gaza,” then Europe will “have to bring in sanctions” on Israel.
A day earlier, Macron appeared alongside Trump at a joint press conference in which he argued there is no viable military path to defeating Hamas.
Trump emphasized his opposition to backing Palestinian statehood after October 7th, calling it a “reward” for Hamas terrorism and accused those pushing recognition of statehood of “forgetting” the atrocities committed during the Hamas invasion.
“I think it honors Hamas,” Trump said of recognition of Palestinian statehood. “And you can’t do that because of October 7th. You just can’t do that.”
After Trump distanced himself from Macron’s push to promote international recognition of Palestinian statehood, including France’s own declaration of recognition this week, the French president said “nobody” has forgotten October 7th.
“But after almost two years of war, what is the result?”
“You have almost as many Hamas fighters as you had on the first day. So it doesn’t work to dismantle Hamas. This is not the right way.”
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