STORY: France could harden its position on Israel if it continues to block humanitarian aid to Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday (May 30), reiterating that Paris was committed to two-state solution to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

"The humanitarian blockade is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground," Macron said at a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

"And so, if there is no response that meets the humanitarian situation in the coming hours and days, obviously, we will have to toughen our collective position," Macron said, adding that France may consider applying sanctions against Israeli settlers.

Macron was speaking in Singapore on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security forum, which runs this year from May 30-June 1.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE OF FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON AND SINGAPORE PRIME MINISTER LAWRENCE WONG

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: SINGAPORE (MAY 30, 2025) (PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, SINGAPORE - For editorial use only / No resale / No archive / Must on-screen courtesy ‘Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore / Must not obscure logo)

1. FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON AND SINGAPORE PRIME MINISTER LAWRENCE WONG DURING JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE

2. REPORTER ASKING QUESTION

3. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: (PLEASE NOTE SOUNDBITE STARTS ON WIDE SHOT OF MACRON):

“I believe that everything depends on the choices that will be made by the government of Israel in the coming days. And it is very clear today that we cannot let the situation last. The humanitarian blockade that persists today is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground. A few weeks ago, I was able to go to the border. By going with (Egyptian) President Sisi to El-Arich, I saw both the distress of the wounded who were being treated by Egyptian hospitals and who had been able to leave during the period of ceasefire that had been offered for a few weeks.”

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Since the beginning of the month of March, I remind you, it is over, and along with several of you who were with me, I was also able to see all the humanitarian aid that was stored there, coming from all over the world, and blocked by the Israeli army. This situation is not acceptable, and today, it is essential to provide water, food, and medicine… to allow the wounded to be evacuated, which is a priority.”

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“And so, if no response that meets the humanitarian situation is brought forward in the coming hours and days, obviously, we will have to toughen our collective position and, in any case, apply the rules that we have set for ourselves, that is, put an end to processes that require respect for human rights, which is not what has been happening today… And apply sanctions.”

8. MACRON AND WONG SHAKING HANDS AT END OF NEWS CONFERENCE