During a United Nations speech in New York, Syrian President Bassel al-Assad reiterated his claim that the Golan Heights remain Syrian territory, directly challenging U.S. President Donald Trump's position. Al-Assad, speaking at the Atlantic Council, stated that Trump had no right to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and joked that Trump should instead give Israel New Jersey. This remark came after Trump had previously supported Israel's control over the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron also used his UN address to criticize Trump's diplomatic efforts in Gaza, calling them a "shameful spectacle." He highlighted the lack of humanitarian corridors in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Macron also criticized Israeli actions in the West Bank, drawing the ire of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, other world leaders expressed differing views on the conflict. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen accused Israel of committing "war crimes," while Trump's policies on the Iran conflict and Greenland agreement dominated his agenda during the UN General Assembly. The political tensions underscore the complex and polarized international response to the ongoing Middle East issues.
