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While Singapore has yet to recognise Palestine as a state, it is not a silent onlooker to the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said.
SINGAPORE – The recognition of a Palestinian state is what Singapore hopes for, and “is not a question of if, but when”, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim.
He gave the assurance in Parliament on Sept 22 that Singapore is working towards recognising Palestine as a state.
“That has always been Singapore’s position to ensure enduring peace for the people of Israel and Palestine. This is not a question of if, but when,” he added in his ministerial statement on Singaporeans’ response to the situation in the Middle East.
While Singapore has yet to recognise Palestine as a state, it is not a silent onlooker to the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, Associate Professor Faishal added.
He pointed to efforts to intensify humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza , and to continue to provide practical support for the Palestinian Authority’s capacity-building efforts to prepare for eventual statehood.
“We may not recognise Palestine today, but I would like to make clear to Singaporeans that we have not been – and will not be – silent onlookers to the tragedy unfolding in Gaza,” he said.
He noted that Malay/Muslims here are especially affected by the conflict, as the Palestinian cause holds “profound meaning” to the community.
“But I believe I speak on behalf of all Singaporeans, not just the Malay/Muslims, that we are horrified and saddened by the latest developments in the Middle East,” he said.
“What is happening in Gaza is a terrible humanitarian tragedy. The suffering, forced displacement, and loss of innocent civilians we are witnessing is unbearable to many of us, regardless of our ideologies and faiths,” he added.
Prof Faishal said the situation has evolved greatly since it was first discussed in Parliament in November 2023, when the House condemned the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilian hostages.
Israel’s actions in Gaza since then have been “disproportionate and unacceptable”, he said.
He noted that the intensified bombardment of Gaza has destroyed the enclave’s critical infrastructure, buildings and homes, with almost the entire civilian population forced to flee without a safe place to escape to.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has declared the widespread starvation and deprivation in Gaza a “man-made famine”, he added, noting that this was compounded by Israel blocking the delivery of humanitarian aid for months.
The continued forced displacement of Palestinians is morally reprehensible and an offence against humanity, Prof Faishal said.
About 1.9 million Palestinians have had to flee their homes since the war began, he said, with more than 750,000 having to evacuate since March when Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending a two-month ceasefire.
He added that the Israeli government has chosen to compound the tragedy by going ahead with settlement projects in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
“By any yardstick, the actions by Israel are unjustifiable and may even be a breach of international humanitarian law. They are certainly against morality,” said Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs.
While Israel has the right to defend itself, it has now gone too far, he said, referencing similar remarks by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in May 2025.
“Along with the wider international community, we must express our firm opposition to violations of international law, and to unilateral measures that seek to permanently erase the possibility of a two-state solution,” Prof Faishal said.
He pointed to Singapore’s endorsement of the New York Declaration at the UN General Assembly on Sept 12 – which called for an end to the war in Gaza and a two-state solution to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – saying the Republic is “once again standing firm in support of steps towards the two-state solution”.
“But for a two-state solution to be viable, Israel must accept a Palestinian state, just as Palestinians must also accept Israel’s right to exist,” he said.
He thanked Malay/Muslim MPs and community leaders for rallying Singaporeans of all races and religions to contribute generously to humanitarian and capacity-building efforts for Palestine, along with organisations such as Humanity Matters, Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) and Mercy Relief.
RLAF, for example, has raised $15 million for Gaza since the start of the conflict, he noted.
Prof Faishal added that he was heartened that while there is “anguish, dismay and even revulsion and disgust towards Israel’s actions”, collective wisdom has prevailed.
In his engagements and dialogues with the community, most said they understood Singapore’s position on the matter, with many exploring other avenues of showing support for the Palestinians, he said.
“We understand that the Republic’s foreign policy must take into consideration international complexities and the country’s national interests to decide on what is best for Singapore.”
[SRC] https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/singapores-recognition-of-a-palestinian-state-not-a-question-of-if-but-when-faishal-ibrahim
