US President Donald Trump rejected a global move towards recognition of a Palestinian state, in a combative speech to the United Nations General Assembly yesterday.
In his first UN address since regaining power in January, Trump spoke to dozens of world leaders, many of whom have been alarmed to see the United States turn away from traditional alliances in favour of an isolationist ‘America First’ policy.
Trump said the United States wants a ceasefire-for-hostages deal that would see the return of all remaining hostages, alive and dead. “We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately. We have to immediately negotiate peace,” he said.
Dozens of world leaders gathered at the United Nations on Monday to embrace a Palestinian state, as reported in the GDN, a landmark diplomatic shift that faces fierce resistance from Israel and its close ally the United States.
Trump rejected statehood for Palestinians, adopting the stance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Instead of giving in to Hamas’ ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message – release the hostages now, just release the hostages,” he said.
France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal have all recognised a Palestinian state in the past two days.
Their moves were borne out of frustration with Israel over its offensive in Gaza and intended to promote a two-state solution.
Israel’s government has declared there will be no Palestinian state as it fights Hamas in Gaza following its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel has drawn global condemnation over its military conduct in Gaza, where more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health authorities.
Despite this, Israel has begun a ground assault on Gaza City with few prospects for a ceasefire.
Trump also warned Russia he is prepared to impose strong economic measures over the war in Ukraine.
His warning to the Kremlin, however, came with a twist.
He said he wants US allies to impose the same measures on Russia he is proposing to try to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to pull back from the biggest war in Europe since the Second World War.
The US president has warned about the possibility of sanctions on Russia several times but has yet to follow through.
Lately he has demanded Europe stop all Russian oil purchases before he will take action.
“In the event that Russia is not ready to make a deal to end the war, then the United States is fully prepared to impose a very strong round of powerful tariffs, which would stop the bloodshed, I believe, very quickly,” he said.
But for the measures to be effective, he said, “European nations, all of you gathered here, would have to join us in adopting the exact same measures.”
Trump later met leaders and officials from several Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, Indonesia and Pakistan, to discuss the situation in Gaza.
“It was a very successful meeting with all of the big players except for Israel but that’s going to be next,” he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the meeting on Gaza between the US president and leaders of Muslim countries “very fruitful”.
He said a joint declaration from the meeting would be published and that he was “pleased” with the outcomes of the meeting, but did not elaborate.
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