French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Wednesday that any Israeli attempt to annex parts of the West Bank would cross a red line for the United States and would end the normalization of diplomatic relations between Arab states and Israel. Macron claimed he received this assurance from Donald Trump.
Macron also revealed that he presented Trump with a three-page plan for Palestine’s future, based on the New York Declaration—a document supported by over 143 countries that aims to exclude Hamas from governing Gaza and the West Bank.
In an interview with France 24, Macron said his goal in meeting with Trump on Tuesday was to align the positions of the U.S., Europe, and Arab nations. When asked about Israeli settlement expansion plans in the West Bank—including the E1 corridor project involving 3,400 new homes—Macron responded, “On that topic, in very clear terms, the Europeans and the Americans are on the same page.”
British officials have raised concerns that Trump might recognize Israeli sovereignty over illegal West Bank settlements in retaliation for the UK, Australia, France, and others recognizing Palestine. Such a move would severely undermine the two-state solution.
Macron warned that annexation “would be the end of the Abraham Accords, which was one of the success stories from Trump’s first administration. The United Arab Emirates were very clear on it.” He added, “I think it is a red line for the USA.”
His comments offer the clearest look yet at behind-the-scenes diplomacy regarding plans for the aftermath of the Gaza conflict. The 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states including the UAE, are considered by Trump a major achievement of his first term.
If Trump insists that annexation must not proceed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could face serious political pressure, as factions within his far-right coalition demand Israel seize part or all of the West Bank. Conversely, if Netanyahu moves forward with annexation—with U.S. support or silence—the prospect of a two-state solution would be critically endangered.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House on Monday and will address the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Macron described the first step of his “brand new” multi-stage plan as securing a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. He said he appealed directly to Trump, telling him, “You have a major role to play and you want to see peace in the world.” Macron emphasized the need to “convince the Americans to put pressure on Israel,” noting that the U.S. holds “real leverage.”
Separately, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff stated that the president presented a 21-point Middle East peace plan to regional Arab and Muslim leaders on Tuesday. Speaking at a UN General Assembly side event, Witkoff said, “We’re hopeful—and I might say even confident—that in the coming days we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.”We use your data as outlined in our Privacy Policy. Google reCaptcha is used to protect our website, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
After the newsletter promotion, Macron stated that France’s recognition of the state of Palestine was meant to restart a peace process, which he believes is the best way to isolate Hamas. He emphasized the goal of demilitarizing and dismantling the militant group.
However, Macron suggested that some right-wing members of Israel’s cabinet are more focused on disrupting any political agreement. “The aim of some is not to fight Hamas but to undermine the chance for peace,” he said, adding, “There is no Hamas in the West Bank.”
He argued that Netanyahu’s strategy of total war has failed because it endangers hostages and has not reduced Hamas’s military strength. “There are just as many Hamas fighters as before. From a practical standpoint, total war isn’t working. This war is a failure.”
Macron stressed that the fate of hostages and Gaza’s civilians should not be left to those who do not prioritize their release. He noted, “Netanyahu’s main priority is not the hostages—otherwise, he wouldn’t have launched the recent offensive on Gaza City or struck negotiators in Qatar.”
He insisted that Hamas must be removed as part of a future governance plan for Gaza and the West Bank, with a reformed Palestinian Authority eventually taking charge, though he provided no timeline.
Macron warned that if the fighting does not end soon, Europe will need to consider further steps. When asked if that meant sanctions, he replied, “Obviously.” Questioned about securing majority support for EU sanctions, he said he is working to build consensus, acknowledging that each country has its own history and sensitivities—a reference to Germany and Italy, which have resisted sanctions.
Arguing that Palestinians must be offered a political future, Macron said the heart of his argument is that “if you don’t provide people with a political path to their legitimate existence—recognized by the international community 78 years ago—you lead them to hopelessness or even worse violence.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the statement regarding Macron and a hypothetical US annexation of the West Bank designed to be clear and helpful for various levels of understanding
FAQs Macrons Red Line Comment on West Bank Annexation
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is the main news here
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that if the United States were to support or recognize an Israeli annexation of the West Bank it would cross a red line for France meaning France would have to react strongly
2 What does annex the West Bank mean
Annexation is when one country formally declares another territory to be part of its own In this case it would mean Israel claiming sovereignty over the West Bank which is currently considered occupied territory under international law
3 What is a red line in politics
A red line is a metaphor for a limit or boundary that if crossed will trigger a significant and definite response Its a way of warning another party not to take a specific action
4 Who is Macron warning with this statement
While the statement is about a US action it is primarily a warning to Israel signaling that such a move would severely damage its relations with France and likely other European allies
IntermediateLevel Questions
5 Why would the US annexing the West Bank be a red line for France
France as a key European power views annexation as a violation of international law that would destroy the possibility of a twostate solutiona longstanding goal for peace between Israelis and Palestinians It would also destabilize the entire region
6 Has Israel already annexed the West Bank
No not officially However Israel has built numerous settlements in the West Bank and some Israeli politicians have openly advocated for annexation The situation is often described as a de facto annexation because of Israels control but a formal declaration would be a major legal and political shift
7 What kind of reaction could France have if this red line is crossed
France could take diplomatic actions like recalling its ambassador supporting stronger condemnations or sanctions at the United Nations and European Union and suspending certain bilateral agreements
8 What is the US position on this
US policy has varied by
