The Trump administration has decided to boycott a United Nations summit on Palestinian statehood, co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, following criticism from various global leaders who view the event as a barrier to peace in the Middle East.
The summit, originally planned for June but postponed due to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, is set to take place at United Nations headquarters in New York City on Monday. Over 50 nations are expected to attend the conference, with dozens more listed as participants. The event was deemed ‘counterproductive’ by the U.S. State Department, which has urged governments to skip the conference. Critics, including Human Rights Voices president Anne Bayefsky, argue that the summit represents a dangerous path toward an armed Palestinian state without negotiations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized that the prospect of a Palestinian state has never been more threatened but remains essential for achieving lasting peace in the region.
The Trump administration’s boycott underscores its broader stance against unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, which it views as detrimental to negotiations and Israeli security. President Trump has publicly dismissed France’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state, calling it ‘doesn’t matter.’ U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has mocked the move in social media posts, suggesting that recognizing a state is as simple as declaring it, without the need for prior negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the French move, arguing that it comes in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre and poses a threat to Israeli security. Key European nations have not yet backed Macron’s initiative, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stating that recognizing a Palestinian state is premature. Germany has also expressed reluctance, with a government spokesperson stating that Israel’s security is of paramount importance. The U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasized working on a pathway to peace focused on practical solutions for those affected by the war.
Meanwhile, NATO member and U.S. ally Turkey has welcomed France’s move, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulating Macron during a phone call. Avi Pazner, former Israeli ambassador to France and Italy, questioned the rationale behind Macron’s decision, suggesting it may be an attempt to gain credibility with France’s Muslim and Arab minorities. Aaron David Miller, a former negotiator at the State Department, noted that Trump has his own objectives regarding Palestinian statehood, emphasizing that unilateral recognition could undermine the conditions necessary for negotiations.
The French and Saudi-sponsored conference is expected to run through Tuesday, with discussions likely to focus on the challenges facing the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Trump administration’s boycott highlights the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the issue, with differing perspectives on the role of international recognition in achieving peace in the Middle East.