Singapore, May 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called on European countries to “harden the collective position” against Israel should it fail to respond appropriately to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking during a diplomatic visit to Singapore, Macron emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that action must be taken “in the next few hours and days.”
“If there is no response in line with the humanitarian situation in Gaza in the coming hours and days, we will have to harden our collective position,” Macron said. He added that such a shift would include no longer presuming Israel’s adherence to human rights norms and could entail the imposition of sanctions.
Macron also reiterated his support for the recognition of a Palestinian state under specific conditions, describing it as “not only a moral duty, but a political necessity.” The French president emphasized that recognition must be accompanied by the demilitarisation of Hamas and the acknowledgment of Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.
His remarks come as international concern grows over the deepening hunger crisis in Gaza, where food security experts have warned that one in five people is facing imminent starvation. Despite the limited resumption of humanitarian aid following more than two months of blockade, the humanitarian conditions in the enclave remain dire.
Macron is in Singapore to deliver the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major annual security forum gathering world leaders, diplomats, and top defense officials. Among them is U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The forum is expected to address a broad range of geopolitical challenges, including tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
France, which has over 1.6 million citizens residing in Indo-Pacific territories, continues to advocate for a rules-based international order in the face of rising geopolitical competition and China’s expanding regional influence. In its Indo-Pacific strategy, Paris has emphasized the importance of multilateralism and territorial integrity.
Macron’s remarks on Gaza follow earlier comments made during his tour of Southeast Asia, which included stops in Vietnam and Indonesia. In Jakarta, he and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto issued a joint statement condemning Israeli intentions to take control of Gaza and any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian population.
Paris has signaled its intention to lead a diplomatic initiative aimed at mobilizing support for Palestinian statehood, contingent on key security and political conditions.
