US blasts France for UN two-state conference, mum on Saudi co-hosts

The Trump administration tears into today’s “unproductive and ill-timed” UN conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia to promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“This is a publicity stunt that comes in the middle of delicate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict,” the State Department says in a statement. “Far from promoting peace, the conference will prolong the war, embolden Hamas, and reward its obstruction and undermine real-world efforts to achieve peace.”

The statement reiterates another one that was made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling such efforts to advance a two-state solution “a slap in the face to the victims of October 7.”

While the US will not participate in the ongoing UN confab, it says it will continue its efforts to advance peace in the region.

The State Department again calls out French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state in September, noting that the announcement was welcomed by Hamas. It was also welcomed by the more moderate Palestinian Authority, which backs a two-state solution with Israel.

Macron’s announcement “reflects a pattern of counterproductive gestures that only embolden Hamas, encourage its obstruction of a ceasefire, and greatly undercut our diplomatic efforts to end the suffering in Gaza, free the hostages, and move the whole Middle East towards a brighter and more prosperous future.”

The US statement avoids criticizing Saudi Arabia, which helped engineer Macron’s announcement and is co-hosting this week’s UN conference. Trump has a close relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has pledged to invest billions in the US economy.

The US statement takes no position regarding the two-state solution more broadly. Trump officials have avoided weighing in on the matter, but have not criticized the Israeli government as it has taken steps in the West Bank aimed at foreclosing such a framework.