Trump Overlooks Albanese at the UN, While France Acknowledges Palestine as a State

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The White House press secretary has outlined United States President Donald Trump’s schedule for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, confirming there is no planned standalone meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

It comes as France officially joined Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Portugal in confirming it is independently recognising Palestinian statehood. Almost 160 members of the UN have now moved to recognition.

“France today recognises a State of Palestine,” French President Emmanuel Macron told the UN summit on Tuesday as the Palestinian delegation led an ovation, saying he was supporting “peace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples”.

“The time for peace has come, as we are just moments away from no longer being able to seize it,” Macron said.

“The time has come to free the 48 hostages held by Hamas. The time has come to stop the war, the bombings of Gaza, the massacres and the displacement.”

Emmanuel Macron had earlier said he would make the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 attack in 2023 on Israel a precondition for opening a French embassy in the Palestinian state. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

In line with Israel, Trump is vehemently opposed to the international push for statehood, which has isolated the US from key Western allies.

“He feels this does not do anything to release the hostages, which is the primary goal right now in Gaza. It does nothing to end this conflict and bring this war to a close,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

“And frankly, he believes it is a reward to Hamas. He believes these decisions is just more talk and not enough action from some of our friends and allies.”

Albanese excluded from Trump meeting schedule

On the sidelines of the global talks, there had been hopes of securing the first face-to-face engagement between Albanese and Trump. They have spoken on the phone four times since Trump returned to power.

At a press conference, Leavitt outlined the official engagements for Trump, saying he has a “very busy schedule for the week”.

Trump has prioritised bilateral meetings with the UN secretary-general and the leaders of Ukraine, Argentina, and the European Union.

He will also hold joint talks with representatives of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Türkiye, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

But his diary doesn’t include a one-on-one meeting with Albanese, who leaves New York mid-week to travel to London.

Albanese is, however, among 100 leaders invited to an official reception on Wednesday, where the pair are likely to at least brush paths.

Trump will then return to Washington and welcome Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the White House for separate talks.

Israel ‘must accept its share of responsibility’

Albanese addressed the UN two-state solution event on Tuesday, likening the Palestinian quest for statehood to the Israeli push for a modern state.

“Nearly 78 years ago, Australia was proud to be the first member of the United Nations to vote for the plan that made the modern state of Israel possible,” he said.

“The international community’s vision for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East always encompassed two states. A state of Israel and a state of Palestine. Living side by side, within internationally recognised borders. And recognising each other’s right to live in peace and security.”

He also described the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023 as “horrific”.

“We join with our allies and partners in calling for the hostages to be returned immediately and with dignity. And we stand with Jewish people around the world, who feel the cold shadow of history’s darkest chapter in any act of antisemitism,” he said.

Anthony Albanese stands outside with a city skyline in the background.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023 as “horrific” during his address at the UN two-state solution event in New York. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Albanese said Australia has added its voice to global calls for a ceasefire, and he defended his cabinet’s decision to independently endorse the government’s recognition of a Palestinian state, which came into effect on Sunday.

“We want the killing to stop,” he said.

“Right now, Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe. And for this, the Israeli government must accept its share of responsibility.

“In recognising Palestine, Australia recognises the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the Palestinian people.”

The government says its decision to recognise Palestinian statehood is conditional on Hamas having no role in the future state and is based on assurances from the Palestinian Authority that it will demilitarise, hold democratic elections and reform governance, finance and education.

At the event, Albanese also hit back at criticism that the move to recognition is symbolic and won’t change conditions on the ground for the Palestinian people.

“That means more than a seat, a voice and a vote in the councils of the world. It means real hope for a place they can call home. This is the same hope that sustained generations of Jewish people,” he said.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has spoken with Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar, expressing disappointment with the government about its “break with bipartisanship”, saying “now is the wrong time while Hamas still holds hostages and while conflict still rages”.