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 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 proposes excluding 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 stated, “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 post-conflict plans for Gaza. The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE, and are considered a major achievement of Trump’s first term.
If Trump insists that annexation must not proceed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could face significant 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 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 his “brand new” multi-stage plan, starting with 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 the U.S. holds “real leverage.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said 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 expressed hope, saying, “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 the peace process, which he believes is the best way to isolate Hamas. He emphasized the goal of demilitarizing and dismantling the militant group.
However, he 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.”
Macron stressed that Netanyahu’s strategy of total war has failed, as 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.”
He argued that the fate of hostages and Gaza’s civilians should not be left to those who do not prioritize their release. “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.”
Macron 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. He did not provide a timeline.
He 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.” Regarding whether there would be enough support for EU sanctions, Macron said he is working to build consensus, noting that each country has its own history and sensitivities—a reference to Germany and Italy, which have resisted sanctions.
Macron argued that Palestinians must be offered a political future, stating, “If you don’t provide people with a political path for their legitimate existence—something the international community recognized 78 years ago—you lead them to hopelessness or even worse violence.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about President Macrons statement regarding the West Bank designed to be clear and helpful for a range of readers
FAQs Macrons Red Line Comment on West Bank Annexation
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What exactly did President Macron say
He stated that any attempt by Israel to annex parts of the West Bank would be a violation of international law and would cross a red line for France
2 What is the West Bank
The West Bank is a landlocked territory located west of the Jordan River It is a central part of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict as Palestinians seek it for a future independent state while Israel has built settlements there
3 What does annexation mean in this context
Annexation is when one country formally declares another territory to be part of its own In this case it would mean Israel applying its sovereignty over parts or all of the West Bank
4 Why is annexation such a big deal
Most of the international community considers annexation of occupied territory to be illegal under international law It would severely undermine the possibility of a twostate solution which is the longstanding goal for peace between Israelis and Palestinians
5 What is a red line in politics
A red line is a strong warning It signifies a limit or boundary that if crossed will trigger a significant reaction or consequence from the person or country that set it
Intermediate Advanced Questions
6 What specific consequences did Macron threaten if the red line is crossed
Macron did not specify exact measures Typically consequences could include diplomatic actions like recalling an ambassador supporting UN resolutions against Israel or potentially supporting economic sanctions though the latter is less likely
7 How does the US position differ from Frances on this issue
The US position has been more supportive of Israels plans The Trump administrations peace plan allowed for Israeli annexation of significant parts of the West Bank a stark contrast to the European and French stance which opposes it
8 Has Israel officially annexed the West Bank
No not officially However Israel has effectively controlled the territory since 1967 and has built numerous settlements The threat Macron was addressing is the potential move to make this control formal and legal under Israeli law
