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What We Know with Max Foster
France Formally Recognizes Palestinian State; ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Returning To Air On Tuesday. Aired 3-4p ET
Aired September 22, 2025 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[15:00:25]
MAX FOSTER, CNN HOST: France about to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
This is WHAT WE KNOW.
Watching history unfold this hour at the United Nations. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is expected to address world leaders very soon.
Live images for you there of the moment, announcing his government's decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state, France and Saudi Arabia
co-chairing a conference on a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Yet Israel is the one that controls the West Bank and Gaza, not the U.N. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says no in no uncertain terms really.
A Palestinian state will not happen.
Melissa Bell is following developments from Paris.
And this is part of a momentum, isn't it, carrying through Europe, we saw that happening yesterday and France effectively joins those other countries
in calling for the same thing.
MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. This had been a Saudi and French initiative, and the hope from Paris had been
from the very beginning, Max, that it would lead to the kind of momentum that we did see yesterday expressed itself in the formal recognition of
Palestinian state by countries like Canada, the United Kingdom and others as well. France was hoping that it would create this momentum by announcing
its decision.
This goes back now a few months, and what we saw was a delay in what was meant to be the Saudi-French co-sponsored meeting in New York because of,
you'll remember, the flare up of tensions between Israel and Iran back over the summer. It was then pushed back now to September.
What's happened in the meantime, I think has been interesting as well, not just building on that momentum that the French had been hoping to create
around their decision to recognize a Palestinian state, but also, and this is the position of Paris. And they've been clearly stating it throughout
the course of the day in the shape of their foreign minister, who says this is already a diplomatic success. The fact that they have managed through
resolutions at the Arab League, but also the one adopted earlier this month at the U.N. to get for the first time a coherent agreement on the part of
the Arab neighbors of Israel that the time is now for the Arab world to formally recognize and work with Israel in a peaceful way, even as it calls
also for the disarming of Hamas and the fact that they should be excluded from any future governing the Gaza strip.
Paris points out that this is an important step. It's something that hadn't been achieved before, and so it is both that question of momentum and the
cohesion that it's managed to get around. Israels neighbors on the need to try and move forward with this two-state solution.
As to whether there is any hope of that having any impact on the ground, it's almost besides the point. I think what the French and those who have
followed them in this, in this, in this lead of recognizing Palestinian statehood, believe, is that it can shift the balance of power in the Middle
East by giving Palestinians a louder voice. It can, they hope, shift things on the ground by giving a clear way out of the current presence of the IDF,
for instance, in Gaza, one of the French proposals, Max, is that there should be a force that would come in to replace the IDF there. And by
giving they suggest, Paris and the Saudis a clear way out of the current impasse and a better road, they suggest, towards a possible ceasefire.
Now, what we expect here is for the French president to lay out his case, to announce the formal recognition of Palestine. He doesn't need any vote
here in France to do it. His announcement will make it a fact.
And then we'll be hearing from the Saudi crown prince. And then a little bit later on from Mahmoud Abbas, who'll be speaking by video link to those
there. Very strong pushback, of course, from Israel and the United States. But I think part of this is very clearly also to further isolate both the
United States and Israel when it comes to their approach to what's been going on in the Middle East.
I mean, they're not just what's happening in Gaza, but what's been happening as well in the West Bank, Max.
FOSTER: Melissa, thank you. We're expecting the president to speak once he's settled after speaking to all of these members of the crowd there.
We'll be back with you, Melissa, when we actually hear the speech and puts it into words, as you say, a moment in history.
What we don't know, though, is who would lead a future Palestinian state.
Joining me now, Mustafa Barghouti, president of the Palestinian National Initiative and a member of the Palestinian parliament.
Really appreciate you joining us here today.
I mean, this is a this is a big moment, right, for your -- for what France will now call Palestine.
MUSTAFA BARGHOUTI, PRESIDENT, PALESTINIAN NATIONAL INITIATIVE: Absolutely.
[15:05:00]
I think it's a turning historical moment. Very much reminding us of what happened with the case of apartheid in South Africa, where the change
happened at the level of the people first, then the people changed parliaments. And in the parliaments started to change governments. And I
think this is a historical moment, a changing moment.
But we have to understand that what Palestinians need is not just the gesture of recognition of the state. We they need a real state, and they
need the end of occupation, and they need the end of the apartheid system.
And that's why I think recognitions alone are not enough. They have to be accompanied by punitive acts, sanctions on Israel until it stops the system
of apartheid and the genocide -- genocidal war in Gaza.
FOSTER: As you say, as Melissa pointed out as well, this doesn't make any difference on the ground. It's symbolic, but it does show this big momentum
around the world.
When it comes to who might lead a Palestinian state, though, because you have to look ahead to that, to, you know, the end game, as it were, those
countries are very clear, Hamas would have no role in any future government. But then the Palestinian Authority doesn't have the credibility
right now either, does it?
BARGHOUTI: It has many problems, that's for sure, because we never had elections for 20 years and the key point for Palestinian future is to allow
democracy to prevail and allow the Palestinian people to choose their leaders freely and democratically, and we have had a very good agreement in
Beijing recently, about a year ago, which unfortunately was not implemented yet.
But that agreement speaks about the creation of an interim independent, national consensus government. That will not include Hamas because Hamas
said they don't want to be in it and they don't want to be the government, but that independent national consensus government should, once the war is
over and reconstruction starts in Gaza, would prepare for having free, democratic elections and the people have to choose. They have the right to
choose, as you do in the states and in other countries.
FOSTER: Are you concerned this move could backfire and trigger Israel to expand the West Bank settlements to disrupt any idea of an independent
Palestinian state?
BARGHOUTI: Israel doesn't need excuses to do that because it is already confiscating most of the land of the West Bank. Since October 7th, Israel
confiscated practically practiced theft of no less than 16 percent of the Palestinian territory in the West Bank. And before that, they practically
confiscated another 16 percent by building the illegal separation wall or the apartheid wall, as we call it.
But the practice of building settlements is also accompanied by settlers terror, settler terrorists who are supported by the Israeli army and armed
by the Israeli army, are continuously attacking Palestinian communities. They've already evacuated no less than 60 Palestinian communities out of
their land. This is a very dangerous process, and this is happening in a fascist manner by a government that is led by fascist ministers like
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, who declare continuously their intention of total annexation of the West Bank.
And the day before yesterday, Netanyahu was even more clear. He said there will be no Palestinian state between the river and the sea, and it should
happen somewhere else. Where? Somewhere else.
Does it mean Jordan?
FOSTER: Yeah, I'm just explaining what we're looking at in New York next to you. This is an event held by the French and the Saudis their two heads of
state about to address that meeting. And the French president, due to recognize an independent Palestinian state, a big symbolic move and a
moment in history after several other countries in the West did a similar thing yesterday.
You describe the Israelis as fascists, Mustafa. They would describe Hamas as terrorists and murderers. And any recognition of the Palestinian state
is a reward to them. It does not send the right message because it basically says Hamas got away with what happened on October the 7th, and it
would be an unjust reward for them.
BARGHOUTI: That's such a nonsense. I mean, it's not a reward for Hamas. It's not a reward for Fatah. It's not a reward to any Palestinian group.
It's a reward to the Palestinian people who have been oppressed, ethnically cleansed for 77 years, who have been subjected to the worst system of
apartheid and who deserve, like every other people, the right to be free, the right to have self-determination.
This is actually a reward to international law, to international humanitarian law, the law that has been neglected when it came to
Palestinians all these years, these recognitions are long overdue. It's good that they are happening today, but they have to be accompanied now by
serious pressure on Israel to stop the process of killing. The opportunity for peace and the killing, the opportunity for the creation of an
independent Palestinian state.
You can see today it is a turning point historically, for sure, because you can see that Israel and the administration of the United States today are
isolated when even the closest allies of the United States, like Canada, like Australia, like Britain, like France, are turning away from the
American policy and recognizing because of the will of their own people, that time has come for the Palestinian people to get what they deserve,
which is their freedom. I believe I am optimistic because I am optimistic because I see that what's happening to us now is very similar to what
happened to the freedom fight for South Africa against apartheid.
FOSTER: That momentum did carry through to the -- to the ultimate goal, and South Africans got their freedom. This momentum is not going anywhere
realistically, because the West needs America basically to put the pressure on Israel. I'm going to ask you about in a moment, but were going to listen
to the French president because he's addressing this meeting where he's due to recognize Palestine.
EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCHE PRESIDENT (through translator): -- 79/81 dated 3rd December, 2024. We wish to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of
you. Allow me now to deliver some opening remarks.
President of the general assembly, secretary general, heads of state and government, ladies and gentlemen.
We've gathered here because the time has come. The time has come to free the 48 hostages detained by Hamas. The time has come to stop war, the
bombing in Gaza, the massacres and the fleeing people.
The time has come because there's a pressing urgency everywhere. The time for peace has come because we're just a few moments away from no longer
being able to seize peace. This is why we have gathered here today.
Some might say it's too late. Others might say it's too early, but one thing is certain, we can no longer wait. In 1947, this assembly decided on
the splitting of mandatory Palestine across two states, a Jewish state in an Arab state, thus recognizing the right of each of them to self-
determination. The international community granted to the state of Israel at last fulfilling the destiny of this people. After millennia of roaming
and persecution, and Israel founded a beautiful democracy there, the promise of an Arab state to date remains unfulfilled.
Since then, there's been a long path of hope and despair intertwined, which Israelis and Palestinians have gone down, each in their own way. We have
walked alongside them, each of us, in keeping with our history and our sensibilities. But the truth is that we bear a collective responsibility
for, to date, having failed to build a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. This is what became evident to us on the 7th of October, 2023, when
the Israeli people suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history, 1,224 men, women and children killed, 4,834 men, women and children
injured, 251 men, women and children taken hostage.
The cruelty of Hamas and all those who collaborated in this massacre dumbfounded Israel and astounded the world.
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The 7th of October remains an open wound for the Israeli soul and for our universal conscience. We condemn it unequivocally because nothing, never
nowhere can justify having recourse to terrorism. Our minds go out and hearts go out to the victims and their families. We've expressed our
compassion to all Israelis and first and foremost, demand for all hostages still held by Hamas to be freed unconditionally.
The French paid tribute to the 51 Frenchmen and women assassinated on that day, and all other victims of October 7th. We will never forget them,
never. Just like we will never stop the existential fight against antisemitism the French people know the sting of terrorism and our hearts
remember the expression of the bonds of brotherhood following the terrorist attacks committed in Paris on the 7th of January, 2015, when dozens of
foreign leaders were in the ranks of those offering their sympathies, among which the Israeli prime minister and the president of the Palestinian
Authority.
We know that you cannot show weakness in the face of terrorism, but we also know the perils of endless wars. We know that right must always prevail.
That right must always prevail over might we know from our own history that the commitment, a universal commitment to peace, is the legacy of centuries
gone by and the only way towards salvation. And on behalf of our friendship with Israel, our commitment to which has never faltered in the name of our
friendship with the Palestinian people for whom we want the initial promise of the U.N. charter to be fulfilled. We want two states living side by side
in peace and security to become a reality.
However currently, Israel is further extending its military operation in Gaza with the stated objective of destroying Hamas but there are hundreds
of thousands of people have been displaced, injured, famished traumatized. Their lives are still being destroyed. Although Hamas has been considerably
weakened.
And despite the fact that negotiations on a permanent ceasefire are the surest means of ensuring the release of hostages, nothing. Nothing
justifies the ongoing war in Gaza. Nothing. On the contrary, everything compels us to definitively end it, since we didn't do it earlier, we must
do this to save lives.
The lives of Israeli hostages detained in atrocious conditions, the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians who are tormented by
hunger, suffering, the fear of dying, mourning for their loved ones. We must save all lives because for almost two years now, it is the denial of
the humanity of the other and the sacrifice of human life which have prevailed.
Yes, since the 7th of October. It is the life of the other that is being denied. We've been saying this since the first day of the war in Gaza. A
life is a life.
I know this because I held in my arms the families of hostages I met in Tel Aviv and in Paris. I'm thinking of the mother of David, a hostage who was
famished and displayed. I'm thinking of Nimrod Cohen, a 19-year-old hostage whose father I just met.
I also know this because I was at the bedside of the Palestinian victims of Israeli military operations, refugees in al-Arish, women and children. I
will never forget the way they looked at me.
I know this because I met young people from Gaza who we are hosting in France. I'm thinking of Rita Baroud, who should have been with us today,
who continues to be a witness to the distress of her loved ones in Gaza.
A life is a life. We are duty bound, all of us. To protect each other. This duty is indivisible. Just as our common humanity is indivisible. There is a
solution, a way of breaking the cycle of war and destruction. It lies in the recognition of the other, of his and her legitimacy, humanity and
dignity.
We must reopen our eyes and see human faces there where war has deposited the mask of the enemy, or the marks of a target.
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We must recognize that Palestinians and Israelis are living in twin solitude, the solitude of the Israelis, following the historic nightmare of
the 7th of October 2023, and the solitude of Palestinians, Palestinians at their wits end in the face of this ceaseless war. The time has come because
the worst could still come to pass. The sacrifice of more civilians, the expulsion of the people of Gaza to Egypt, the annexation of the West Bank,
the death of hostages detained by Hamas, or facts on the ground which could irreversibly change this situation there, on the ground.
This is why this is the very reason that today, here in this chamber, we must pave the way for peace, because since July of last year, developments
have accelerated. And at this point, we have reason to fear that the Abraham Accords, the Camp David accords, could be called into question by
Israel and that peace would become impossible for a long time. Yet in the Middle East, it thus falls to us this historic responsibility. We must do
everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.
The time has come. This is why true to the historic, historic commitment of my country to the Middle East, to peace between the Israelis and the
Palestinians. This is why I declare that today, France recognizes the state of Palestine.
(APPLAUSE)
MACRON: This recognition is a way of affirming that the Palestinian people is not a people to many. On the contrary, this is a people who never says
goodbye to anything. As Mahmoud Darwish said, a people with a strong history, roots and dignity. The recognition of the legitimate rights of the
Palestinian people takes nothing away from the rights of the people of Israel, France supported from day one, and to the respect of which it is
staunchly committed.
This is why we are so convinced that this recognition is the only solution that will allow for Israel to live in peace. France has never wavered.
Standing by side by Israel's side, even when its security was at stake, including when there were Iranian airstrikes. This recognition of the state
of Palestine is a defeat for Hamas. Just like for all those who foment antisemitism, nurture anti-Zionist obsessions, and who want the destruction
of the state of Israel.
This recognition by France goes hand in hand with others, which will be announced today. And I thank them. Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada,
Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Portugal, the United Kingdom, San Marino, they are here today. They answered our call issued in July and took the
responsible choice, the necessary choice, the choice to opt for peace. Spain, Ireland, Norway and Sweden are also going down the same path, and
many others did before us, too.
This recognition paves the way for useful negotiations useful for Israelis and Palestinians. This path is a path towards peace and security plan for
all France and Saudi Arabia submitted this plan to this assembly and it adopted it by a large majority. It carries our common ambition to break the
spiral of violence and to change the situation on the ground. We managed to take a step towards one another, to move away from our habitual stances and
to set concrete objectives. We must now set in motion a cycle of peace that meets the needs of all parties.
[15:25:03]
The top priority of this peace and security plan, and it's very urgent, that is, to ensure the release of 48 hostages and put an end to military
operations throughout the territory of Gaza. I commend the efforts undertaken by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. to achieve this. I ask Israel to do
nothing more that would thwart these efforts coming to fruition.
Hamas was vanquished on the military front as we neutralized its leaders and decision makers. It must also be vanquished politically to be truly
dismantled as soon as a ceasefire is agreed. We must mount a massive collective effort to provide assistance to the people of Gaza. I'd like to
thank Egypt and Jordan for their commitment and recall -- to recall Israel's absolute obligation, that is, to facilitate humanitarian access to
Gaza, to assist its population, which has lost everything.
The second priority is to stabilize and to rebuild Gaza, a transition administration incorporating the Palestinian authority, as well as the
young people of Palestine, together with security forces, the establishment of which we will accelerate, will have the monopoly over security in Gaza.
It will implement the dismantlement and disarmament of Hamas, and this with the support of international partners and the necessary means required for
this difficult mission.
France stands ready to contribute to an international stabilization mission, as well as to support, together with our European partners, the
establishment and equipping of Palestinian security forces. As soon as the negotiations permit, the Security Council could decide to deploy civilian
and security support mission, liaising with the Palestinian authorities and with the consent of the Israeli authorities.
Furthermore, it will be up to the state of Palestine to give hope to its people tested by years of violence and occupation, division and negligence.
It will be up to the state of Palestine to give its people a framework for democratic expression, a framework that's been renewed and that is secure.
President Mahmoud Abbas committed to this before Prince Mohammed bin Salman and myself. He forcefully condemned the terrorist attacks committed on the
7th of October, 2023. He reiterated his commitment to disarming Hamas and committed to excluding Hamas from future governance in Gaza, as well as
from future governments throughout Palestinian territory. He reaffirmed his commitment to combating hate speech and promised an in-depth overhaul of
Palestinian governance.
France will play close attention to the full implementation of all of the commitments made to us. This renewed Palestinian authority is a necessary
prerequisite for the success of the indispensable. Negotiations will need to resume to come to an agreement on each of the final status issues. It's
within this framework that I will be able to decide to open an embassy to the state of Palestine as soon as all of the hostages detained in Gaza have
been freed, and a ceasefire has been established.
But France will be demanding of Israel will be just as considerable. Together with our European partners, we will be indexing, pegging. That is
our level of cooperation with Israel to the provisions, the measures Israel will be taking to put an end to the war and negotiate peace. It's thanks to
this path that we will get a state of Palestine, which is sovereign, independent and demilitarized, bringing together all of its territories,
recognizing Israel and being recognized by Israel in a region which will at last see peace, reign upon it.
What I also expect of our Arab and Muslim partners who have not yet done so, is for them to uphold their commitment to recognize the state of Israel
and to engage with Israel in normal relations as soon as the state of Palestine has been established.
In so doing, together, we will demonstrate dual recognition for the benefit of peace and security of all in Middle East. Ladies and gentlemen, this is
our peace plan. It establishes a demanding mechanism to end the war and enter into the negotiations phase. It allows for Israeli-Palestinian peace
to be the first pillar of a new peace and security architecture in the Near East and the Middle East. It lends credibility to the possibility of
further economic integration.
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Nothing will be possible unless the Palestinian authorities take full ownership of our renewed ambition, so that we can, at last achieve the two-
state solution. I know that they're reluctant. I know that they harbor fears and with the utmost respect.
I hear the Israeli people, their sadness, their fatigue. But I want for the Israeli authorities to also hear this and to in turn take on commitments. I
know that the Israeli people and the Israeli leadership have the strength to do this.
I remember when I was a young man, when I learned of the horrible assassination of Yitzhak Rabin almost 30 years ago. He was killed for
wanting peace when death was about to claim him. The heroic warrior of the state of Israel said, and I quote, I fought -- "I fought so long as there
was no chance of peace," end of quote.
But today, there is such a chance. Today, here, 142 states are proposing this peace. They're extending out their hands, ready to be shaken. So yes,
the time has come to put an end to the war in Gaza, massacres, death right now. Urgency is what drives us.
The time has come for Israel to live in peace and security from the Galilee to the Red Sea, through the Dead Sea and the Lake of Tiberias and
Jerusalem. The time has come to no longer -- no longer talk about the existence of the state of Israel. Its self-evident the time has come to do
justice to the Palestinian people, and thus to recognize the state of Palestine, brotherly country, a neighbor in Gaza, in the West Bank and in
Jerusalem.
The time has come to cast out from these lands the vile face of terrorism and to forge peace. Yes, to forge peace. This is what -- what has brought
us here today. And we're very hopeful that we will be able to forge it.
It is a choice we must make. It is our duty. Peace is much more difficult. It demands much more of us than all wars. The time has come.
(APPLAUSE)
FOSTER: The empty seats of the Israeli delegation there at the United Nations, watching the speech that everyone knew was coming from President
Macron recognizing Israel as a independent state.
Melissa Bell joins us.
Because it's been quite a journey for the president, hasn't it? He was the one that really pushed other countries in the West to do this. There was
that momentum and really culminates in this moment.
BELL: There is the momentum that he managed to get from other western countries. The agreement that he managed to get amongst many of Israels,
Israels Arab allies, neighbors, I'm sorry, in terms of what they want from this as well. So, he has made substantial progress, and that's what he
spoke to tonight. The need, he said, or the fact rather that peace cannot be considered unless there is recognition of the other, is essentially the
premise of this new idea that rather than wait for a two-state solution to come along, the recognition of Palestine might help it come along.
And this, of course, in a sense, is its last chance given events on the ground in Israel where so much has been done by the government currently in
power to prevent the possibility of a Palestinian state on the ground. And I think what you heard from Emmanuel Macron, there was a very passionate
plea about not just the need for what he believes, the recognition of Palestine will mean, but also the peace plan that has now been announced
and that he and those who will be announcing this recognition of Palestine today and the wider U.N. that took part in that vote earlier this month,
are hoping might become the basis for negotiations, rather than it being left simply to the Israelis and the Americans with the help of the Qataris,
as it has been over the course of the last few years.
So, a passionate plea, an urgent plea. But one, of course, that is likely to fall on deaf ears across Israel and the United States. The Americans
from Marco Rubio and his visit to Jerusalem last week, through to the president -- to President Trump today, could not make plainer their
disregard for this move.
Still, the hope of those who are, in this sort of coalition now coming together around this idea of this peace plan, hope, is that this will
further the diplomatic isolation of both the United States and Israel on this and force some kind of talks at least centered, at least on two
parties that now can be better recognized as a prerequisite for peace, Max.
[15:35:21]
FOSTER: Yeah. Melissa, let's get the first reaction. Diplomatic reaction. Weve got to this from the Saudi foreign minister speaking there at the same
event.
PRINCE FAISAL BIN FARHAN, SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): The historic position of his excellency the French president, to recognize the
state of Palestine and the fact that many countries have taken a similar courageous position and the broad support for the resolution of the general
assembly to adopt the declaration. The New York declaration on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-
state solution that received 142 votes in its favor, reflects the will of the international community to render justice to the Palestinian people and
consolidate their legal, historic right in line with international frameworks and relevant U.N. resolutions and the Arab peace initiative.
The kingdom is keen on continuing its partnership with France and all countries, calling for peace to follow up on the implementation of the
outcomes of this conference to put an end to the war in Gaza and stop all unilateral measures that threaten Palestinian sovereignty, to work on
ending the conflict in the region and establish the Palestinian independent state on the 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital.
In conclusion, we thank again those countries that have recognized or have announced their intention to recognize the state of Palestine. We call on
all other countries to take a similar historic step that will have a great impact on supporting the efforts towards the implementation of the two-
state solution, achieve permanent and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, and find a new reality whereby the region can enjoy peace, stability
and prosperity. Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
FOSTER: Okay. So, it's official. France has recognized a Palestinian state. This is something the French president has been working on for some time,
encouraging allies to do the same, and many did so yesterday. Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom.
As Melissa Bell was telling us from Paris, though unlikely to have any real impact on the ground because Israel knew it was coming, continues with its
offensive and the U.S. thinks it's a bad move as well.
Oren Liebermann joins us from Jerusalem -- Oren.
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: What's also worth noting is that Israel and the U.S. knew this was coming. France made it clear for
months now that this was very much their intent. And that along with the Saudis, who we just heard from their foreign minister, that they would --
they would be hosting this conference and pushing other countries to recognize the state of Palestine, which is exactly what happened. And yet,
it's worth noting, the U.S., under the Trump administration didn't have the influence to change these countries positions, in other words, to convince
these countries not to recognize a state of Palestine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was just here in Jerusalem several days ago, said he has discussed with these countries and tried to argue that
this isn't the right time, tried to make that case, and that at least from what we're seeing unfold right now, fell on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Israel
knew this was coming as well. And yet the steps it could have taken to try to avert this diplomatically either never happened or certainly didn't have
the intended effect. And Israel is, frankly, on the sidelines watching this happen.
Of course, the key question is what will Israel's response be? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that there will be a response, at
least part of that, according to what he has said, will be the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
That is what France is trying to signal to Israel here is, is frankly against the international community as it is against international law. And
yet that's at least part of Israel's response. The bigger question here, will Israel annex part or all of the occupied West Bank?
Netanyahu's far right ministers want to see that happen. They're openly pushing for it, as well as steps to dismantle or destroy the Palestinian
Authority. And yet Netanyahu has signaled he will only decide what to do and announce it after he meets President Donald Trump, essentially, a week
from today in the White House.
Only after that, frankly, only after he has a green light from the white house, will he pursue any sort of retaliatory, retaliatory, unilateral
action actions that he has very much signaled will be coming. And yet, even as we know that's coming here, this is a unified call for much of the
international community on the importance of not only a ceasefire, but on getting back to a place where a two state-solution, a viable state of
Palestine is a possibility.
[15:40:01]
Unfortunately, Max, both of those right now, a ceasefire and the possibility of a two state solution are very far off.
FOSTER: Just in terms of the hostages here, which are at the front of many people's minds as well as the civilians in Gaza. You know, the Israeli
prime minister saying this is the best way of getting the hostages out. But the French president saying, recognizing a Palestinian state is the best
way of getting the hostages out and ending the war. That's a really key narrative here, right?
LIEBERMANN: Clearly, two entirely different positions here. Netanyahu has tried to make this argument that escalating the military offensive in Gaza
City will somehow lead to the release of the hostages, even after, according to our own reporting, the Israeli military chief of staff said
that that escalation, that assault on Gaza City endangers the hostages. So that's not exactly an argument that's being -- that's winning over, any of
any frankly, many Israelis or certainly not winning over the international community.
Israel has tried to in, in sort of responding angrily and diplomatically at these countries, recognizing Palestine, say that this emboldens terror, it
emboldens Hamas. And French President Emmanuel Macron directly addressed that, saying that that the vision they are putting forward for a state of
Palestine includes disarming and dismantling Hamas. He specifically said Hamas has been defeated and vanquished I think was his word militarily.
Now, it has to be vanquished politically, but that can't be done by continuing the war. That was the argument he tried to make. In terms of the
hostages, he mentioned them very high up in his speech right after he said it has been the collective failure of the international community to get to
a just and lasting peace. He immediately addressed October 7th and said it was the worst terror attack in the country's history, and that there are 48
hostages who are being held by a terror organization in horrific conditions that need to be released.
And this is part of that effort, part of what the French are doing in so many other countries to call for a ceasefire that would allow for those
hostages to come out of Gaza and return home.
FOSTER: Oren, thank you. We'll get more reaction as it comes in on that French decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
But some breaking news from Hollywood right now. ABC has announced that Jimmy Kimmel will return to his show on Tuesday. A statement from the
network reads, "Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional
moment for our country."
Quite what change here. We don't know. We're going to bring it to you as soon as we get it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:45:52]
FOSTER: Recapping our breaking news. ABC has announced that Jimmy Kimmel will return to his show on Tuesday. A statement from the network reading,
"Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our
country."
A spokesperson for the Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, said in a statement to CNN, "It's a decision we made because we felt some of the
comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We've spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations,
we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday."
We'll get more on this. Bian Stelter is looking into it to get a bit more context, because it does feel as though there has been a change of mind
here.
Let's go live to the United Nations, though, now. The U.N. General Assembly president, Annalena Baerbock, is speaking there.
ANNALENA BAERBOCK, PRESIDENT OF THE U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY: So many killed without the world even learning their names until we heard one voice so
loud we could not overhear it. The voice of Hind Rajab captured in a phone call with the Red Crescent while shelling rained down after the car she was
in was attacked over and over again, killing her aunt, uncle and three of her cousins next to her. She called over and over again, "I'm so scared.
Please come."
The rescuers tried to calm her as they tried to reach her. They could not. Hind was killed before help arrived. The world failed her. As the world has
also failed Kfir Bibas and his brother Ariel. Kfir was just nine months old. The youngest child abducted by Hamas on October 7th, taken with his
four-year-old brother Ariel and their mother. Both were killed in Gaza by terrorists.
The world will remember their names as symbols of innocent childhood, stolen by terror.
I've met with the families of the hostages fathers, mothers, siblings, aunts, grandparents still waiting for their loved ones to come home from
wherever Hamas is holding them, after more than 700 days.
I've also met with Palestinian families -- fathers, mothers, siblings, aunts and grandparents whose loved ones are buried in the ruins of Gaza.
Their message is always the same, "We want peace". Or as one Israeli mother told me. It does not bring my child back if a Palestinian mother loses her
child in Gaza. Humanity is not about choosing sides. It's about recognizing that every life matters the same.
A life is a life. The Palestinian girls' life is a life, and Israelis boys' life is a life. All the children of the Middle East deserve to grow up
knowing only the sun shining on their schools. The laughter of their friends and the playground and the joy of a meal shared with the families
not the horrors of starvation, not the horrors of war and terror.
[15:50:01]
Excellencies, the general assembly has been very clear. We need an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza now. Israel must
immediately facilitate the full, rapid, safe and unhindered entry and delivery of humanitarian assistance to all Palestinian civilians. Hamas
must immediately and unconditionally release all remaining hostages.
But the horrors of Gaza make equally clear that we cannot allow such devastation to happen again. While the situation in Gaza is unacceptable,
settlement, expansions and demolitions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are eroding any prospects for a political solution. The
decade long Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be resolved by endless war, permanent occupation and recurrent terror. The only way to ensure that
future generations of both Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace, security and dignity is the two-state solution.
As the secretary general said, it's a right, not a reward, to live in your own state as all humans around the world. We know that something, this is
naive. The first resolution on this matter is almost as old as this organization.
Seventy-eight years ago, the General Assembly adopted resolution 181, laying the foundation for two states, knowing it's the only way for peace.
And to those of you who argue now, but we have tried for decades and failed over and over again, there can be only one answer. If we would stop aiming
for what is right because we have not succeeded yet, then evil would prevail.
That would be the end of this institution. This institution which promised to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. It would erode the
U.N.'s foundational mission to achieve peace, justice and equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Excellencies, that is what todays conference and the New York declaration are so crucial. The message we are sending today is no, we are not giving
up. The international community does not only remain committed to the two- state solution, we are also identifying tangible, time bound and irreversible steps for its realization.
And we are willing to take decisive measures and provide international guarantees. Of course, this conference and the New York declaration will
face criticism. Some will say a piece of paper cannot change realities on the ground for Palestinians. Others will dismiss the vision of two states
outright. But the fact remains the New York declaration was endorsed by 142 member states, and this majority clearly says the war in Gaza must end now.
It condemns the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians on 7th October. It condemns the attacks by Israel against civilians and civilian
infrastructure in Gaza. It calls on Hamas to end its ruling Gaza and hand over its weapons. A sovereign and viable state of Palestine needs to be
established living side by side with the state of Israel and peace and security with mutually recognized borders and full regional integration.
Excellencies, the call for peace and the two state solution is not an abstract, not for the children watching missiles destroy their school, not
for the families waiting for news that their sons and daughters might be released --
FOSTER: Oren Liebermann joining us now from Jerusalem as we listen to the U.N. perspective, really, on this recognition of a Palestinian state, is
going on deaf ears, though, Oren, I noticed that the delegation, the Israeli delegation has empty desks, the event.
[15:55:03]
LIEBERMANN: That's not too much of a surprise. Israel has already made clear how angry it is about these countries. Many of them considered allies
of Israel, recognizing a state of Palestine. It is interesting to listen to the speech from the U.N. there, because it's an acknowledgment of the
difficulties of changing the reality on the ground, an acknowledgment that that a piece of paper, countries recognizing Palestine, none of that
automatically or quickly ends the war, releases the hostages, disarms Hamas, ends Israeli expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank.
And yet the speaker there talked about the importance of this as a marker and a unified call, a largely unified call, I should say, from the
international community on how important this is. And how critical the time is.
We heard French President Emmanuel Macron make an appeal to humanity. We hear that same appeal here. She started by saying earlier in the speech,
and I noted this humanity is not about choosing sides. And that is part of the call here to realize the humanity in Israelis, in releasing the
hostages, in condemning the terror attack of October 7th, and to realize the humanity in Palestinians, in the civilians who are fleeing the
escalation of Israel's military by the hundreds of thousands who have been killed by the tens of thousands by the Israeli military over the course of
the of the last nearly two years of the war in Gaza.
FOSTER: I'm just going to interrupt. I'm sorry, Oren, but were hearing from the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, who's dialed in.
MAHMOUD ABBAS, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT (through translator): Distinguished leaders and heads of delegations, peace, mercy and blessings
of God be upon you. On behalf of the state of Palestine, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the co-presidency, the United Nations
and all participating states for the historic New York declaration that was issued in -- during July's conference and adopted by the general assembly
by an overwhelming majority.
It marked the beginning of an irreversible path towards ending the humanitarian catastrophe and ending occupation pursuant to international
legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative. It was the embodiment of an independent state of Palestine, with east Jerusalem as its capital, living
side by side with Israel in peace, security and good neighborliness. The declaration stressed that the war against our people must come to an
immediate and durable end.
It noted that the crimes emanating from the siege, the starvation and destruction cannot be a means of achieving security. Therefore, we call for
a permanent ceasefire. We need to ensure humanitarian access through the United Nations and Anwar, we need to guarantee the release of hostages. All
hostages and prisoners, with the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza.
We need start without delay of Gaza and the West Bank reconstruction through the Cairo international conference your excellencies, ladies and
gentlemen, we would like to commend the Egyptian, Qatari, U.S. mediation that tries to put an end to this war. We also commend the positions of
Egypt and Jordan who reject the displacement of Palestinians, a matter rejected by the international community as well.
The state of Palestine is the only entity eligible to assume full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza. This comes through an
interim administrative committee affiliated to the Palestinian government in the West Bank, with Arab and international support and participation.
Hamas will have no role in governing. Hamas and other factions must surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority. What we want is one
unified state without weapons, a state with one law and one legitimate security forces.
We stress our condemnation of the occupation's crimes. We also condemn the killing and detention of civilians.
END
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