Trump denounces European recognition of Palestinian state as reward for Hamas
Trump says recognition by European allies risks prolonging Gaza war and endangering hostages as France and others back statehood at the UN
President Donald Trump on Tuesday denounced a wave of European recognition of a Palestinian state as a 'reward' for Hamas, saying such moves would encourage continued fighting in Gaza. He said he has been deeply engaged in seeking a cease-fire and urged nations to get it done. "You have to get it done," he said, adding that Hamas has repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace and that the October 7 attacks must not be forgotten.
His remarks followed France's announcement at the United Nations General Assembly that it would formally recognize Palestine, a move announced during Macron's address alongside Saudi Arabia on a two-state solution. Several longtime Israeli allies, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, also recognized a Palestinian state Sunday, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the expansion of settlements and violence by settlers in the West Bank. Macron said: "The time has come to no longer talk about the existence of Israel — it’s self-evident. The time has come to do justice to the Palestinians, to recognize the state of Palestine. We must do this to save lives."
Trump argued that recognition undermines efforts to free hostages and risks emboldening Hamas. "Even while they refuse to release the hostages or accept the cease-fire, instead of giving in to Hamas and giving so much because they’ve taken so much, they have taken so much. This could have been solved so long ago," he said. "Instead of giving in to Hamas as ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: release the hostages now. Just release the hostages." He added that the families of those killed want them back as though they were alive.
France's move made Macron the first major Western nuclear power and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council from the G7 to formally recognize Palestine. Macron said: "We must do this to save lives." Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon warned there would be consequences for nations recognizing Palestine, saying there would be "consequences" for those recognizing a Palestinian state.
On Tuesday, Trump will hold a closed-door meeting with Arab leaders who are expected to implore him to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to end the war in Gaza. Trump is expected to present his Middle Eastern counterparts with the U.S. outlook for peace and post-war governance in Gaza.
The administration has repeatedly framed European recognition of Palestine as a political calculation that could complicate cease-fire talks, release of hostages and the prospects for a two-state solution. Officials noted that the United States has consistently supported Israel’s security needs while backing humanitarian efforts in Gaza and urging restraint on both sides. The evolving diplomacy comes as Gaza continues to face a humanitarian crisis, with international actors weighing a path to de-escalation amid expanding settlements and violence in the West Bank. World leaders are watching how shifts in recognition could influence negotiations, hostage dynamics and the broader prospects for regional stability in the Middle East.