Macron: Trump can only win Nobel Peace Prize if he stops Gaza war

PARIS, France — US President Donald Trump could only win the Nobel Peace Prize if he stopped the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians over Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron says.

Macron tells BFMTV in an interview from the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York that “there is only one person who could do something in the current situation — the American president.”

“I see an American president who is mobilized and who said this morning [to the General Assembly] ‘I want peace, I will solve this conflict.’ Who wants the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is only possible if you stop this conflict.”

“You need to pressure the Israeli government so it stops, it stops the Gaza conflict, so we finally release the hostages” held by Palestinian terror group Hamas, he says.

Macron acknowledges that even after his recognition on behalf of France of a Palestinian state at the General Assembly — a decision bitterly opposed by both Trump and Israel — it was Washington that had leverage over Israel.

“Why can he do more than us? We do not deliver arms [to Israel] that allow the Gaza conflict to be waged,” says Macron.

He also acknowledges that a Palestinian state “will truly be created on “the day the State of Israel recognizes it.”

There have been concerns that Israel could respond to France’s move with retaliatory measures such as closing the French consulate in Jerusalem, which is used intensely by Palestinians, or annexing territory in the West Bank.

“We are ready. We have planned for all possible options, which means we will never remain inert. We just plan things and we will always defend France’s interests,” Macron says without specifying further.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.