French President Emmanuel Macron seems to have really enjoyed the pedestrian infrastructure, walking the streets of New York by himself. His motorcade even stopped in order to allow the convoy carrying U.S. President Donald Trump to pass. This unexpected detour came shortly after Macron delivered a significant speech at the United Nations, where he announced France’s official recognition of Palestine.
Following his address, which included a powerful call for an end to the violence in Gaza, Macron’s vehicle was stopped by police officers. They told him that all was “frozen,” because of the Trump motorcade. In reaction, Macron got out of this vehicle and walked up to the police expressing his urgency in getting to France’s consulate.
“I’m sorry, president, I’m really sorry, everything has been frozen, there’s a motorcade coming right now,” – a police officer.
Blocked by a metal fence, Macron decided to walk the rest of the way. As he later recounted a comic interlude with Trump on one of their phone call dates.
“How are you? Guess what? I’m waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you.” – Emmanuel Macron
During his half-hour stroll through the city, Macron engaged with passersby, stopping to pose for photographs and share moments of goodwill. A particularly memorable public encounter saw a man approach the president and kiss him sweetly on the forehead — talk about an intimate tête-à-tête!
Macron’s speech at the UN emphasized urgent humanitarian concerns, stating, “The time has come to end the war in Gaza, the massacres and the death.” He proposed a comprehensive plan for a UN-mandated international stabilization force in post-war Gaza, aiming to restore order and security in the region. He sounded the clarion call for Palestinians — justice, justice in every aspect of life on Earth.
“The time has come to do justice for the Palestinian people and thus to recognise the state of Palestine in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem.” – Emmanuel Macron
The events unfolded as part of a special summit at the UN focused on international responses to the Gaza conflict. Macron’s acknowledgment of Palestine is a notable diplomatic move as calls continue to grow for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
A reporter from the social media platform Brut followed him and filmed some of his interactions along this unplanned trip. Spy on the hardship and warmth that often buzzes beneath formal diplomacy in this remarkable behind-the-scenes footage.