He further declared, “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.”

Previously, Emmanuel Macron had stated the release of hostages taken by Hamas in its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel would be required before a French embassy could open in Palestine. 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.

Macron’s stance reflects his belief that it is crucial to do more than just talk and insists that some decisions seem to reward Hamas rather than take meaningful action.

Albanese excluded from Trump meeting schedule

Efforts at the global talks had aimed to arrange a face-to-face meeting between Albanese and Trump, who have communicated by phone four times since Trump’s return to power.

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

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 remarked, “We align with our allies and partners in urging for the immediate and dignified return of hostages. Additionally, we stand by Jewish communities worldwide who are haunted by the shadows cast by the darkest chapters of history through any act of antisemitism.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks as “horrific” in his speech 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.

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.