The BRICS TimesAt the UN General Assembly, Trump met Arab leaders after delivering his 55-minute speech. Leaders from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan participated in the meeting.
At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump called for an immediate halt to the Gaza conflict. Following this, he held a significant meeting with top leaders from Arab and Muslim nations to explore practical solutions. The meeting came amid increasing pressure on Washington to manage Middle East diplomacy effectively.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has destabilized the entire region, making it crucial for the U.S. to collaborate with its Arab partners and find a viable path forward. Interestingly, after the meeting, Trump did not address reporters directly and simply waved as he exited. His silence sparked numerous questions. However, his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, signaled to the press with a smile, suggesting that the discussions had been positive.
What was discussed in the meeting?
The meeting included leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The conversation focused on achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, securing the safe release of hostages, and delivering urgent humanitarian aid. Trump emphasized before the meeting that this discussion was extremely important, stating that the conflict had already gone on for too long and must end.
He further stressed that immediate action was needed to release hostages and address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the talks as highly productive and mentioned that a joint statement would be released soon, though he did not reveal its contents.
Trump’s stance on recognizing Palestine
Regarding Palestine, the outcomes of the meeting remain unclear. However, during his UNGA speech, Trump clearly stated, “Recognizing Palestine is like rewarding Hamas.” He added that some parties were seeking unilateral recognition of Palestine, but doing so would essentially reward Hamas, which has repeatedly rejected peace efforts. Trump also emphasized the need to bring back all hostages, saying, “We want all 20 back. We do not want two or four.”
Looking ahead
Although the meeting did not yield concrete results, it underscored the growing seriousness among Arab nations about ending the Gaza war. The safe release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid are now top priorities. In the coming days, it will be crucial to observe whether this gathering leads to tangible progress in halting the conflict or remains a mere diplomatic formality.
