Editorial
At the UN General Assembly, US President Donald Trump demanded an immediate end to Israel’s war on Gaza, calling for the release of captives and renewed peace talks. Yet, his speech revealed contradictions. While urging calm, he dismissed recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood by Western nations as a “reward” for Hamas, ignoring the international consensus that Palestinian statehood is a legitimate right, not a concession.
Trump placed blame on Hamas for rejecting “reasonable” peace offers but avoided addressing Israel’s actions—ceasefire violations, blockades, and a deadly ground invasion that has displaced thousands and killed over 65,000 Palestinians. His selective narrative omitted Netanyahu’s role in stalling negotiations, instead portraying the US as a neutral peace broker while Washington continues to arm Israel.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reminded leaders that Palestinian statehood “is a right, not a reward.” His words highlighted the gap between Trump’s political framing and the broader call for a two-state solution rooted in justice. Analysts argue that Trump’s statements lacked clarity on how peace could be achieved, given that US support for Israel sustains the war’s momentum.
Trump also boasted of military strikes on Iran, attacked climate change policies, and ridiculed the UN itself. While presenting himself as a dealmaker and even suggesting his record deserved a Nobel Peace Prize, he overlooked America’s responsibility in prolonging conflicts. His rhetoric pointed more toward political showmanship than genuine solutions for Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe.
If the US president truly wishes to “save lives,” his administration must align words with action: halt military support for Israel, press for an immediate ceasefire, and endorse Palestinian statehood as part of a just two-state framework. Anything short of this exposes Washington’s position as rhetoric wrapped in contradiction, further weakening its credibility on the world stage.
