Impact of Escalating Tensions and Intensified Fighting in Middle East on Singapore

1 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what is the impact of the escalating tensions in the Middle East arising from intensified fighting along Lebanon’s southern border and Hezbollah’s increasing use of reconnaissance drones over northern Israel, for Singapore.

2 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs how is Singapore, together with the international community, playing its part to ensure Israel abides by international law as it wages war against Hamas in Rafah to rescue the hostages.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan): Mr Speaker, my response will cover the question raised by Member Mr Christopher de Souza in today's Order Paper. I will also address the question for written answer by Member Ms Nadia Samdin in today's Order Paper, as well as questions raised by Members Mr Leong Mun Wai and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, which were filed for subsequent Sittings, but since it is on the same issue, I thought I would address all these questions together.

Mr Speaker: And including Question No 2 for oral answer in today's Order Paper?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Yes, that is right.

Mr Speaker: Please proceed.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Mr Speaker, Singapore is gravely concerned about the escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have put at risk efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. This should be the foremost priority. Singapore firmly supports the ceasefire proposal announced by the United States (US) on 31 May 2024 which was welcomed, in fact codified, by the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution on 10 June 2024. We urge parties in the conflict to arrive at an agreement. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, Singapore continues to stand with the international community in calling for an immediate ceasefire, we call for the unconditional and safe release of all hostages and we also call for unhindered humanitarian access. We also reiterate our call for all sides to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law.

The second point I want to make is that Singapore calls on all parties to de-escalate tensions and that there is a real and rising danger of a wider regional conflagration that needs to be avoided. We condemn all attacks on civilians, including the recent attacks across the Israel-Lebanon border, as Mr de Souza had alluded to. With respect to Lebanon, we urge all parties to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which inter alia called for the full cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a demilitarised zone in the south of Lebanon, permitting only the UN and Lebanese armed forces.

Mr Speaker, I will now take the questions related to the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on “Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”. This Advisory Opinion was published on 19 July 2024.

Advisory Opinions of the ICJ carry significant weight in the international legal system and contribute to the development of international law, even though they do not in themselves create legally binding obligations. The Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024 that was requested by the UN General Assembly is significant. It focuses on Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the issue of Israeli settlements. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced that he will put the Advisory Opinion to the General Assembly to decide how to proceed in this matter.

Singapore’s long-standing position on Israeli settlements has been consistent and clear. Singapore views the Israeli settlements as illegal under international law. The settlements make it much harder to arrive at a viable two-state solution. Singapore has consistently voted in support of UN General Assembly resolutions that reject Israeli settlement activities and call upon Israel to rescind all unilateral measures that have been taken to change the status of Jerusalem.

Singapore’s long-standing position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that the only viable pathway to a comprehensive, just and durable solution is a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. And we continue to urge both parties to resume direct negotiations and to, in the meantime, refrain from unilateral actions to attempt to change the status quo because this will hinder the peace process.

Ultimately, Israelis and Palestinians need to have the political will to make the necessary concessions required in order to achieve a durable peace. Given the difficulties and complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Singapore’s approach remains to be constructive, to be helpful, to support all efforts towards peace. And we will continue to support international efforts to create the necessary conditions that will enable this peace process to begin again. This was the key thrust of my remarks to the House on 2 July 2024.

Mr Speaker, the safety and security of Singaporeans in the Middle East region is our key concern. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has existing travel advisories against travel to Lebanon and, in particular, the Israel-Lebanon border, as well as the Israel-Syria border. But I have to inform the House that there is, in fact, one Singaporean currently e-registered in Lebanon, who has insisted on proceeding with the trip despite knowing the dangers. MFA will remain in close touch with all the Singaporeans who are e-registered in the region. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv stands ready to provide consular assistance. All travellers to the Middle East are strongly encouraged to e-register with MFA and to please take precautions for personal safety.

Mr Speaker: Mr Christopher de Souza.

Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah): In the Minister's view, is this a political, social or religious issue, or is it all three? If it is all three, how will we ensure in Singapore that this foreign issue does not impact our social compact and social cohesion?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: This is a long-standing, complicated issue. The Member has mentioned that there may be political, social, religious dimensions. There will also be historical, cultural, geographical and economic dimensions to it. Basically, there is no easy solution. There is also, unfortunately, no quick and instant solution.

The main point that I think the Member is trying to raise is that given the complexities of the issue and the fact this is going to be so long-standing, how should Singapore and Singaporeans respond. Given that we are multiracial, multilingual, multi-religious, we are an open city, we depend on free trade, we depend on the import of energy. The point is that events far away can have profound impact on us. They can affect us economically, they can also affect our social, ethnic, religious harmony.

This is something which we need to be very, very mindful of. Therein the point is as the Member had made – this is a foreign nation, this is something far away, but we should not under-estimate the impact that it can have on our society. I think our paramount concern should be to maintain the unity and cohesion of all Singaporeans, that we are entitled to different opinions, different reactions even. But above all, maintain our own domestic cohesion and collectivity. And then, we can play our role as a responsible member of the international community, standing for peace, standing for international law, upholding principles, providing humanitarian assistance wherever it is needed. And then, maintaining our communication channels open with all parties, even though some of these parties may be at war or doing things which, quite frankly, we find abhorrent.

That is the position which I am trying to encourage us to maintain. So far, you would have noticed that we have access to all parties. I have been to Palestine, I have been to Israel, I have been to the Middle East. You would also recall that so far, Singaporeans have raised more than $17 million of assistance – and these funds have come from Singaporeans of all races, languages and religions. We have been able to work with our partners across the Middle East to deliver this assistance.

I hope Members of this House will see that even in this dark hour, the unity of Singaporeans, the good will and generosity of Singaporeans, and the calm, measured, principled, consistent, diplomatic posture of Singapore is something which has been noticed and appreciated – certainly in the Middle East, but even on the international stage.

Mr Speaker: Mr Alex Yam.

Mr Alex Yam (Marsiling-Yew Tee): Thank you, Mr Speaker. Questions for the Minister. I note that the Minister shared that there is one Singaporean who is e-registered to travel to Lebanon and has decided to proceed. I also further note that there are one travel notice and two travel advisories dated 17 April, 14 April and 7 February for the region.

The first supplementary question is, is the Ministry aware of how many Singaporeans remain in the immediate vicinity of the region, who are either registered or unregistered? And if the Ministry assesses the situation to become more serious, although this is rarely done, will MFA issue a stricter travel advisory for Singaporeans to completely avoid travel to the region?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: By definition, MFA will not be aware of Singaporeans in the region who have not e-registered with us. I have already mentioned we have at least one in Lebanon. We have several in Israel – I do not have the exact number. I want to be quite categorical – frankly, as far as MFA is concerned, it is not a matter of how strict. We have signalled unambiguously through our travel advisories and notices, "Please don't go to hotspots where safety will be an issue" or where we anticipate that further regional conflagration is a real and present risk. If that happens and you get into trouble, of course we would not leave you behind, but you are actually generating enormous work and concern, and sometimes even risk to the officers in MFA.

Again, I make this appeal. Unless there is really, really no choice, please do not go and please do not give us unnecessary extra work. And I say this not because my officers are not willing to do the work – my officers are. I would also want to make this point that MFA has got officers throughout the Middle East and I had never had a single officer come up to me and say, "There is a clear and present risk, please don't send me."

So, I hope this House will also join me in expressing our appreciation and admiration for the Foreign Service Officers who put themselves on the frontlines, at risk, in order to represent us and to safeguard our interest and to help Singaporeans.

Mr Speaker: Mr Leong Mun Wai.

Mr Leong Mun Wai (Non-Constituency Member): Thank you, Speaker. The Foreign Minister had previously characterised the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a family quarrel. So, I raise a question for the Foreign Minister, whether it is still appropriate to characterise the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a "family quarrel", in light of the ICJ's advisory opinion?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: I think we should never trivialise the tragedy that is unfolding there. Maybe for the Member's edification, let me remind you of a speech which Senior Minister Lee made in November last year. It is worth reading just one paragraph of that speech.

He said, quote, "We are also watching closely, events in the Middle East. The re-eruption of the Israel-Palestinian conflict has impacted Singapore. Like people elsewhere in the world, Singaporeans identify with the plight of Palestinian people. Muslim Singaporeans, especially feel this strongly. But, in fact, all Singaporeans are appalled by the human suffering in Gaza as Israeli attacks target there, as they were also appalled by Hamas terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023 that prompted this IDF military operations. The quarrel between the Israelis and Palestinians is not our quarrel, but it impacts our society. The Government has to take a national position that upholds our consistent principles and, which considers the sentiments and feelings of our population. We feel sympathy for the civilian victims on both sides and will extend humanitarian help to those in need. But we must not let problems elsewhere widen fault lines in our society. Let us indeed build on and strengthen our social harmony."

So, that is the context, Mr Leong – do not let problems elsewhere widen our potential fault lines. And none of us should seek to do that or take advantage of that for political point scoring. That is the real message to you and, indeed, it is a reminder to all of us.

Again, as I said, we can all have different perspectives and views. We may be informed by religion, social conscience, our own interpretations of history. But the paramount point here, let us not be divided. Do not play up fault lines.

And it is possible, and I hope in the fullness of time, it will be shown that Singapore is a mature, cohesive society that can deal with diversity and still rise up to the occasions, uphold principles, not take sides, be helpful, express the best part of our humanity and our compassion whilst understanding that life is complicated, especially in many other places. I think if we can approach this with this spirit of humility and realism, we can be a useful exemplar to other parts of the world where these fault lines have not only cracked, but have led to enormous loss of life and, especially, innocent lives of civilians. I think on that note, we are all completely united.

Mr Speaker: Mr Gerald Giam.

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Thank you, Mr Speaker. Given that the Minister has said that Singapore has access to many of the parties on all sides of the conflict, does Singapore have any plans to play some role to bring together the different sides, even in some small way?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Mr Gerald Giam accompanied me on my trip in March. So, you will know that, yes, we do have access and yes, they do listen politely to us, because we have got long-standing relations and they know we do not grandstand and we do not engage in point-seeking and we are not engaged in a publicity exercise. But I think you would also agree, from your trip with me, that there is a very, very limited role for us. It is not a question of a venue for meeting or even offering good advice. They are not short of advice and they are not actually short of venues to meet or avenues of communication.

But until the top leaders in the two warring tribes can arrive at a conclusion that violence is not the answer and that concessions are essential, and that these two related people have to learn to live with each other. Both peoples occupying contested land are not going to leave and they will be a reality for each other till the end of time. It is that realisation and that change in spirit and perspective that will be necessary.

So, I think as far as Singapore is concerned, we stay united, we help where we can, we uphold principles and we insist on adherence to international law on all sides.

I think our excess is also because they know we are fair-minded people and that we are prepared to help wherever we can help. But let us not overstep ourselves or assume that we have got a greater role than we can actually play. At the end, this is one little red dot, a shiny red dot, but we are still far away and many steps removed from them.

I would also remind you when we went and there were discussions about one state and two states. And you will recall the conversation which I had with some senior people to say, "Well, if you want a one-state solution, your delegation must look like mine: multi-religious, multiracial and completely united, even across political boundaries". But I think you would have also got a sense from that trip that is very far removed from the reality in the Middle East, at least for now.

So, again, I think this spirit of humility and consistency and upholding what is right, whilst maintaining the unity amidst our great diversity – I think that alone, is our contribution to show the world that it is possible to live in peace with your neighbour, with your brother.