PARIS, France (AFP) —United States (US) President Donald Trump could only win the Nobel Peace Prize if he stops the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians over Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday.

Macron told BFMTV in an interview from the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York that “there is only one person who could do something in the current situation — the American president”.

“I see an American president who is mobilised and who said this morning (Tuesday to the General Assembly) ‘I want peace, I will solve this conflict’. Who wants the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is only possible if you stop this conflict.”

“You need to pressure the Israeli government so it stops, it stops the Gaza conflict, so we finally release the hostages held by Palestinian militant group Hamas,“ he said.

In a blistering speech during his first UN General Assembly appearance since his White House comeback, Trump accused the UN world body of failing to help him as he tried to broker a series of peace deals including in Gaza and Ukraine.

Trump began his speech by criticising the UN for failing to get involved in what he claims are seven wars that he has ended, or in his failed efforts to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s war in Gaza.

“All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter,” he said. “It’s empty words, and empty words don’t solve war.”

Meanwhile, Macron acknowledged that even after his recognition on behalf of France of a Palestinian state at the General Assembly – a decision bitterly opposed by both Trump and Israel – it was Washington that had leverage over Israel.

“Why can he (the US president) do more than us? We do not deliver arms (to Israel) that allow the Gaza conflict to be waged,” said Macron.

He also acknowledged that a Palestinian state “will truly be created on the day the State of Israel recognises it“.

There have been concerns that Israel could respond to France’s move with retaliatory measures such as closing the French consulate in Jerusalem which is used intensely by Palestinians or annexing territory in the occupied West Bank.

“We are ready. We have planned for all possible options, which means we will never remain inert. We just plan things and we will always defend France’s interests,” Macron said without specifying further.

The conflict began with the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. Israel responded with an assault and aid blockades on the Gaza Strip.