France’s Macron says the suffering in Gaza should “shame us all,” while Canada’s Carney pledges $71 million for two-state efforts. Posted on September 23, 2026 September 23, 2026 France, Canada and the United Kingdom have expressed support for a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with French President Emmanuel Macron condemning Israel’s restrictions on aid to Gaza as a “shame” to the world. Tuesday came as Israeli forces killed at least three Palestinians in Gaza City, despite a US-brokered “ceasefire” in October. More than 73,900 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel’s genocidal war began in October 2023, including 1,399 since the “ceasefire” came into effect. In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Macron noted that France had been among a dozen countries that recognized a Palestinian state a year ago. But he asked: “What credibility do we have if we remain inactive against Gaza?” “Some boast of a supposed peace, but this peace has not reopened humanitarian routes for a single second,” he said. “Should we stand still and watch this spectacle that embarrasses us all? Never!” Macron also criticized what he called Israel’s daily “violations” in the occupied West Bank. a fatal mistake, which weakens Israel’s security for today and tomorrow, and threatens it,” he warned. Macron, along with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, also chaired a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly on the creation of a Palestinian state. It was low confidence in politics. Many people in this room, many politicians around the world, have talked for decades about a solution of two States,” he said. “But if we do not back up those words with actions, we will further corrode trust in the political, diplomatic and international process.” Burnham added that the UK has also banned trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, describing Israel’s E1 settlement project as “a deliberate attempt to block a two-state solution”. The project would divide the occupied West Bank and isolate it from East Jerusalem, fragmenting land that Palestinians hope will form the heart of a future state. Meanwhile, Carney announced that Canada would give 100 million Canadian dollars ($71 million) in aid to the Palestinians to preserve “the possibility of a two-state solution.” He said 80 per cent of the funding will go to direct humanitarian aid, while the remaining 20 per cent will be allocated to “supporting peace and security,” including Canada’s multi-year initiative to train Palestinian police in Carney said Palestinians in Gaza continued to endure “immense human suffering,” while Israelis faced “existential threats from Hamas and from Iran and its proxies.” He also criticized Israel’s E1 settlement project and said Canada intended to introduce restrictions on goods produced in settlements in the occupied territory. Canada is among 12 countries that have announced such trade restrictions. Since the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, Ottawa has pledged more than C$600 million ($426 million) in aid to Palestinian civilians.
