France could harden its position on Israel if it continues to block humanitarian aid to Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday, reiterating that Paris was committed to a 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 in Singapore with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (黃循財).
“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 might consider applying sanctions against Israeli settlers.
Photo: AFP
“But I still hope that the government of Israel will change its stance and that we will finally have a humanitarian response,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has hit back at growing international pressure over the war in Gaza, the deadliest fighting in decades of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Macron was in Singapore on a state visit and is also to deliver the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier security forum, which runs began yesterday and is to run until tomorrow.
Deep differences between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel have stymied previous attempts to restore a ceasefire that broke down in March. Under growing international pressure, Israel partially ended an 11-week-long aid blockade on Gaza, allowing a limited amount of relief to be delivered via two avenues — the UN or the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Macron said Paris is committed to working toward a political solution and reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Macron is leaning towards recognizing a Palestinian state, diplomats and experts said, a move that could infuriate Israel and deepen Western splits.
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