French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Tuesday that if U.S. President Donald Trump truly seeks the Nobel Peace Prize, he must first put an end to the war in Gaza.
In an interview with French TV channel BFM while in New York, Macron emphasized that Trump is uniquely positioned to pressure Israel to cease hostilities.
“There is one person who can effect change, and that is the President of the United States. The reason he can accomplish more than we can is that we do not supply arms that enable the war in Gaza. We do not provide the equipment for warfare there. The United States does,” he explained.
On the same day, Trump delivered a forceful speech at the United Nations General Assembly where he criticized his Western allies for recognizing a Palestinian state, suggesting that such actions would reward Hamas.
“We must stop the war in Gaza immediately. We need to start negotiations for peace right away,” Trump declared.
Responding to Trump’s address, Macron noted, “I see an American president actively involved in these matters, who reiterated this morning from the podium: ‘I want peace. I have resolved seven conflicts,’ and he wants the Nobel Peace Prize. However, this prize can only be earned by halting this conflict.”
Several countries, including Israel, Pakistan, and Cambodia, have put Trump forward as a candidate for the annual Nobel Peace Prize due to his efforts in mediating peace agreements and ceasefires. Trump himself has asserted that he is deserving of the award, which has previously been granted to four former U.S. presidents.