Macron attacks ‘peace claim’ over Gaza at UN
The French president says an announced peace has opened no humanitarian passage and warns that leaders are losing credibility.
French president Emmanuel Macron has sharply criticised Gaza diplomacy at the United Nations. He says no humanitarian corridor has opened since the peace declared by others, putting the credibility of international leaders under pressure.
Macron spoke in New York on Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly. He asked how credible countries are when they say peace has been achieved while, in his view, no humanitarian access to Gaza has been reopened. According to Reuters, he called the diplomacy around Gaza a spectacle that ought to shame everyone.
The French president linked the humanitarian situation to the territory’s broader political future. He also criticised violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. According to Macron, Israel’s security cannot be strengthened by violating the sovereignty of neighbouring countries.
The remarks came as US president Donald Trump highlighted his own diplomatic achievements during the same UN week. The two approaches differ: Washington emphasises ending the war and reaching a political agreement, while Paris focuses primarily on actual access to aid and compliance with international law.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres likewise called in his opening speech for the fighting to stop and humanitarian aid to be allowed in. He warned that announced ceasefires are not enough if civilians are still being killed and displaced. The UN thus describes a gap between diplomatic statements and the situation on the ground.
Macron did not speak on behalf of the UN, and his words in themselves change nothing about access to Gaza. The value of the speech lies mainly in the political pressure France is trying to exert. France presents itself as a supporter of a two-state solution, but must at the same time explain what concrete means it has to persuade the parties to comply.
It also remains unclear which agreements exactly are covered by the peace mentioned by Trump and to what extent those agreements are being implemented locally. It is clear that the international summit is placing the situation in Gaza at the centre of attention; there is currently less certainty about the practical consequences of the speeches and access for aid organisations.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Macron criticised Gaza diplomacy and access to humanitarian aid at the UN.
- The UN secretary-general called for the fighting to stop and aid to be allowed in.
- The precise content and implementation of the peace mentioned by the US government have not been fully established independently.
Left
Arguments The central point is that international law and the protection of civilians must not give way to diplomatic claims about peace. International pressure, humanitarian access and accountability for violations must take priority over political image-making.
Values Human rights, humanitarian protection and equality before the law.
Consequences More pressure on Israel and Hamas may be necessary, but it could complicate diplomatic relations and negotiations.
Centre
Arguments An institutional approach seeks to uphold humanitarian aid, Israel’s security interests and a political two-state solution at the same time. Statements are credible only when they are followed by verifiable agreements, monitoring and workable security arrangements.
Values International law, feasibility and the protection of all civilians.
Consequences A gradual approach may leave room for negotiations, but risks being too slow as the humanitarian situation worsens.
Right
Arguments From this perspective, Israel’s security and the release of hostages must remain the starting point. Public condemnations of Israel without comparable pressure on Hamas could reduce room for negotiation and put lasting peace further out of reach.
Values Security, armed groups’ responsibility and deterrence.
Consequences A tougher security framework could limit attacks, but could also put humanitarian access and international support under pressure if civilians are not adequately protected.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text attributes political claims to Macron, Guterres and the US government and does not present them as independently established facts. The date, location and substance of Macron’s speech were confirmed by Reuters and official UN and French sources.
- confirmed Macron spoke on 22 September 2026 at the UN General Assembly in New York. — Official agenda information from the Élysée and Reuters reporting. source
- confirmed Macron said that humanitarian access to Gaza had not been reopened. — Reuters report on his speech. source
- confirmed Macron criticised violence by settlers in the West Bank. — Reuters quotes this passage from the speech. source
- confirmed Guterres called for the fighting to stop and humanitarian aid to be allowed in. — Official text of the UN speech. source
Editor's note
Macron’s remarks and the UN speech were recorded directly or via Reuters. The factual state of humanitarian corridors and the precise content of an announced peace remain the subject of conflicting political claims.Sources
- Macron décrit la diplomatie pour Gaza comme un « spectacle de honte » — Reuters via Boursorama
- 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York — Élysée
- Secretary-General’s address to the opening of the General Debate — Verenigde Naties
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „gaza emmanuel macron”
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- De Telegraaf — „gaza emmanuel macron”