French President Emmanuel Macron challenged US claims of a Gaza peace breakthrough, calling the humanitarian situation a "spectacle that should shame us all" during his final UN address.
Key facts
- •President Macron is set to step down from office in May of next year.
- •France has begun a process to ban products originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- •The US State Department reported that the UN Security Council gave unanimous approval to a 20-point Gaza peace plan.
- •Macron stated that about a dozen states recognized Palestine one year ago.
- •The French president explicitly condemned the industrialization of war crimes and the dismantling of the Geneva Conventions' protective framework.
In his final address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized US President Donald Trump’s portrayal of his Gaza peace plan as a diplomatic triumph. Macron argued that the proclaimed peace has failed to reopen humanitarian corridors in the enclave, questioning the international community's credibility while calling the ongoing situation a "spectacle that should shame us all."
Dispute Over Gaza Peace Claims
Hours before Macron’s speech, Trump addressed the same assembly, describing his 20-point Gaza peace plan and the creation of a Board of Peace as a "fantastic" success. Trump claimed that his administration ended the war in Gaza weeks after his previous address, asserting that the move saved thousands of lives. Macron countered these claims by highlighting the lack of tangible humanitarian access, stating that not a single corridor had been reopened despite the diplomatic rhetoric.
Concerns Regarding the West Bank and Sovereignty
Macron also addressed the situation in the West Bank, condemning daily violations and noting that Hamas has not operated in that territory. He warned that these actions undermine the Palestinian people's right to exist. While reaffirming France's commitment to Israel's security, Macron cautioned against violating the sovereignty of neighboring states. He specifically called for the restoration of Lebanon’s full sovereignty to address the presence of Hezbollah and expressed continued support for Syria's unity.
International Law and Global Impunity
The French president warned that international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions are facing a serious challenge, describing a "new era of barbaric acts" where war crimes have been "industrialized." He criticized the destruction of civilian infrastructure and stated that the world is witnessing a "new order of impunity." Macron reaffirmed France's support for the International Court of Justice, emphasizing its central role in upholding global standards.
Timeline
- Last SeptemberFrance recognized a Palestinian state.
- One year agoMacron addressed the UN General Assembly while the war in Gaza was still ongoing.
- TuesdayMacron delivered his final UN address, challenging Trump's claims of a Gaza peace triumph.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Al-Monitor, Anadolu Agency Europe.
