Vivian Balakrishnan: S'pore will recognise Palestine State when it has effective govt accepting Israel's right to exist & renounces terrorism

[duluxe]

In a ministerial statement in Parliament on Sep. 22, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan stated that Singapore's position on recognising the State of Palestine is clear, namely its government has to accept Israel's right to exist and renounces terrorism.

Balakrishnan also noted that Singapore's approach to the issue is rooted in its own national interests, and said the humanitarian situation in Gaza is "shocking".

Singapore's position on the Recognition of Palestinian Statehood​

Reviewing the history of the Gaza conflict, Balakrishnan noted two points:

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2. While the Palestinian Authority administers the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the West Bank, it does not control Gaza. For the past 18 years, a unified Palestinian government that exercises effective control in Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and Gaza, has not been formed.
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4. Hamas has consistently rejected Israel's right to exist and has yet to renounce terrorism or agree to disarm. It remains to be seen if the Palestinian Authority can really disarm and displace Hamas from Gaza.
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Balakrishnan further added that Singapore supports Palestinian people's right to self-determination and has backed related United Nations (UN) resolutions.



However, he highlighted that a Two-State solution, which requires a unified, peaceful Palestinian government and direct negotiations leading to both states coexisting in peace and security, reamins the only viable solution to the longstanding conflict.

How Singapore's national interests have shaped its approach to the conflict​

Balakrishnan stated that Singapore has three national interests which have shaped the country's approach to the Gaza conflict.

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2. Maintaining national unity: Singapore has to ensure that external events or actors do not divide its society, with national policies, foreign policy in particular, being driven solely by Singapore's national interests, while also preventing outsiders from exploiting any potential domestic divisions.
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4. Protecting Singapore's security: Being a small and open nation, Singapore does not condone terrorism in any form and this is the reason why it supported Israel's right of self-defence after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. However, Israel's actions in Gaza have worsened the suffering of civilians, and Singapore condemns the killing of innocent civilians.
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6. Promoting respect for, and compliance with, international law: In order to safeguard its sovereignty, Singapore must abide by and uphold international law. It noted that the excessive actions of the current Israeli government may be a breach of international humanitarian law.
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"Singapore condemns the killing of innocent civilians"​

In terms of the situation in Gaza, Balakrishnan stated that Israel's actions in Gaza have "gone too far for too long" and that Israel's military operations "have exacerbated the prolonged, desperate suffering of innocent civilians".

He described Israel's actions as "unconscionable", and stated that "Singapore condemns the killing of innocent civilians."

Balakrishnan also called the humanitarian situation in Gaza "shocking".

He called the deliberate denial of humanitarian aid "completely unacceptable" and viewed the excessive actions by the Israel government as a possible "breach of international humanitarian law".

Singapore's assistance to Gaza​

Balakrishnan stated that Singapore will continue to support efforts to alleviate the civilian suffering in Gaza.

Beyond current contributions, Singapore aims to do more, namely:

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2. Supporting Egyptian hospitals in treating injured Palestinians: Singapore is working to deploy another medical team to Egypt to treat more patients from Gaza.
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4. Supporting Jordan's Restoring Hope Initiative for Gaza: Singapore will provide prosthetics supplies for about 100 Palestinian amputees.
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6. Supporting World Food Programme's efforts: Singapore will be contributing US$500,000 (S$642,000) to the cause.
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With these, it brings the country's total humanitarian assistance for Gaza to over S$24 million.

Singapore will oppose any steps by Israel to extinguish or undermine a Two-State solution​

Balakrishnan also reiterated that Singapore holds that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, and have voted in support of UN resolutions that reject Israeli settlement activities.

The country also opposes ongoing attempts to establish new realities on the ground, which will undermine the possibility of a two-State solution.

As such, Singapore will impose targeted sanctions on the leaders of the radical right-wing settler groups or organisations that have been responsible for acts of violences against Palestinians in the West Bank.

By supporting the Two-State solution, Singapore will oppose any steps by Israel to extinguish or undermine such a solution.

Balakrishnan added that the country also cannot recognise any unilateral annexation of occupied territory, describing this as "a flagrant breach of international law".

He affirms that they will continue to track developments closely, and should the situation worsen or if Israel takes further steps to extinguish a Two-State solution, Singapore will reconsider their position on recognising a Palestinian state.

Singapore to step up support for Palestinians​

Balakrishnan stated that for now, Singapore will continue to step up concrete support for the Palestinians in preparation for their eventual statehood.

He revealed that Singapore's S$10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package has already benefitted over 800 Palestinian officials, and added that the country is looking to offer more scholarships for Palestinian students, as well as community policing and leadership programmes.

No "river-to-the-sea" for either side​

In his closing statement, Balakrishnan once again emphasised that territorial and political compromise are essential to resolve the conflict.

"There will be no "river-to-the-sea" for either side," he said.

He expressed hope that in time, there will be the political will from both sides to enter into direct negotiations on a two-State solution, consistent with the relevant UNSC resolutions.

“Maintenance of the unity and cohesion” among Singaporeans most important​

In support of Balakrishnan, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann reiterated in Mandarin that Singapore’s stance on the conflict will continue to be guided by the country’s national interests, “of which the maintenance of the unity and cohesion among our people is of utmost importance”.

She added that they will continue to help Singaporeans understand the rationale behind Singapore’s stance on foreign policy.

“Not a question of if, but when”​

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, like Balakrishnan, acknowledged that the situation in Gaza is a “terrible humanitarian tragedy”.

He added that the recognition of a Palestinian State is what Singapore hopes for and is working towards.

Speaking in Malay, he added that the recognition is “not a question of if, but when”.

Faishal also thanked Malay-Muslim MPs and community leaders for rallying Singaporeans of all races and religions to contribute generously to Singapore’s humanitarian and capacity building efforts, as well as local NGOs such as Humanity Matters, Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, and Mercy Relief.

He also urged Singaporeans to continue to rally together and “do what we can to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people”.