Emmanuel Macron asks at UN if we should "stand by and watch this spectacle" on Gaza

At this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, French President Emmanuel Macron joined many world leaders in sharply criticizing Israel’s conduct in the Middle East, with Gaza’s death toll a recurring concern despite a late-2025 ceasefire after nearly two years of war. Speakers also condemned Israel’s operations and occupation in southern Lebanon and rising settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, per the addresses. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also gave pointed rebukes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to address the assembly on Sept. 24 amid growing diplomatic isolation, ahead of Oct. 27 elections and strained UN relations, with a brief US visit, few high-level meetings, expected walkouts and protests.