Brett McGurk: Macron and Starmer Are Making ‘Getting a Ceasefire Harder’ with Their Statements

EXCERPT:

MCGURK: “Honestly, whatever the intent of Macron and Starmer in these statements, it makes getting a ceasefire harder. Because what they're saying in those statements is -- especially Starmer -- he said, we will recognize a Palestinian state unless there's a ceasefire in Gaza. Right now, the obstacle to a ceasefire in Gaza is Hamas. So I just see Hamas now holding out. I mean, they're going to say, this is kind of now going our way. So it's destructive to the goal we all want. What is the goal we all want? We want this war to end. We want the hostages to come out. We want food to get into Gaza. That should be the focus. And what are the steps to get there? And I think these statements from the French and the Brits and others, I don't think actually help move in that direction."