Former U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to deliver a strongly worded speech at the United Nations General Assembly this week, shortly after France became the latest Western power to officially recognize Palestine as a state.
French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement on Monday, September 22, 2025, during a high-level UN session, positioning France alongside several countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal, and Australia, that have shifted toward supporting Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state solution.
The White House swiftly criticized the move, describing it as a “reward to Hamas” and warning that such recognition undermines efforts to achieve a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Trump is expected to expand on that position when he takes the UN podium, underscoring Washington’s continued opposition to unilateral recognitions of Palestine.
The recognition comes at a sensitive moment in the Middle East, with ongoing violence, stalled negotiations, and mounting international pressure for renewed dialogue. Supporters of France’s decision argue that formal recognition could revive momentum for a political solution, while critics insist it risks entrenching divisions and weakening Israel’s security.
Diplomatic observers say Trump’s upcoming address will be closely watched, not only for his stance on the Israel–Palestine question but also for what it signals about U.S. engagement in a shifting global order where even traditional allies are diverging on key foreign policy issues.
As the General Assembly continues, attention will be fixed on whether France’s move sparks broader recognition across Europe and whether Trump’s intervention sharpens or softens the deep rift in approaches to the long-running conflict.