SINGAPORE MUST RECOGNISE PALESTINE AS A SOVEREIGN STATE
SINGAPORE MUST RECOGNISE PALESTINE AS A SOVEREIGN STATE
The Issue
OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Dear MFA
SINGAPORE MUST RECOGNISE PALESTINE AS A SOVEREIGN STATE
We refer to Singapore’s vote in favour of the resolution to qualify the State of Palestine as a member of the United Nations at the 10th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 10 May 2024 in New York. We refer also to the Statement in Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN:
“https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2024/05/20240510-UNGA-EOV”.
Singapore's Statement, while attempting to portray a balanced view, reveals our government’s deep-seated hypocrisy. Even as it appears to profess support for a two-state solution, our government shamefully continues to refuse to recognize Palestine as a state, thereby downplaying the Palestinian struggle for self-determination under oppressive Israeli military rule. This glaring inconsistency exposes the cowardice and duplicity of Singapore's foreign policy, which pretends to seek balanced peace but, in reality, only acknowledges Israel’s statehood. Singapore’s Statement fails to address key historical and ongoing issues that contribute to the plight of the Palestinians.
Ignoring Historical Oppression and Displacement: Singapore emphasizes a two-state solution and recent hostilities without acknowledging the decades-long oppression and displacement of the Palestinians. Since the establishment of Israel, Palestinians have faced systematic expulsion from their homes, denial of basic rights, and significant territorial encroachments. This historical context is crucial for understanding the current situation and the deep-seated grievances of the Palestinians, which Singapore's statement completely ignores.
Selective Condemnation of Violence: While Singapore condemns the October 7th attack by Hamas, it fails to equally condemn the extensive military operations by Israel that have resulted in disproportionate Palestinian casualties and destruction. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with around 35,000 civilians killed and widespread devastation, is a direct result of Israel's actions. Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan acknowledged this by stating, "Israel has gone too far, but severing diplomatic ties with the country would not resolve the situation nor reduce the suffering of Palestinians." However, this acknowledgment is insufficient. The difference in language between condemning Hamas' actions and addressing Israel's actions is stark. Singapore is willing to engage with the Israeli government despite its ongoing war crimes and violations, effectively treating Israel as a state actor while it perpetuates actions that many view as terroristic. By focusing on the acts of Hamas and framing Israel's response as legitimate self-defence, Singapore is selectively condemning violence and failing to hold Israel accountable for its excessive and often indiscriminate use of force on civilians.
Imbalance in Responsibilities: Singapore's call for both sides to resume negotiations and make difficult compromises overlooks the significant power imbalance between Israel and Palestine. Israel, with its established statehood, military strength, and international support, holds a dominant position over the stateless and fragmented Palestinian population. Expecting equal responsibility and compromise without addressing this disparity is unrealistic and unjust. True negotiations can only occur on a level playing field, which requires addressing and rectifying the historical injustices faced by the Palestinians.
Implementation of UN Resolutions: Singapore highlights the importance of international law and UN resolutions but ignores that these resolutions have not been implemented primarily due to Israel's continued occupation and settlement expansion in Palestinian territories. UNSC Resolutions 242 and 338 call for withdrawal from occupied territories, yet Israel has repeatedly violated these mandates. Singapore's support for international law appears hypocritical when it fails to address the non-compliance of Israel with these critical resolutions.
Hypocrisy in Supporting Palestine Statehood: Singapore claims to support the Palestinians' right to a homeland and acknowledges the PLO's 1988 proclamation - Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is a Palestinian nationalist coalition that is internationally recognized as the official representative of the Palestinian people. However, by simultaneously condemning Palestinian groups and not addressing Israel's oppressive policies, Singapore undermines the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for statehood. The rejection of terrorism is essential, but so is the recognition of the Palestinian people's right to resist occupation and seek self-determination.
Singapore's approach is a disgrace. It claims to advocate for peace, yet its actions reveal a bias that undermines any genuine effort towards justice. Despite the undeniable war crimes committed by Israel and the United States, Singapore has shamefully chosen to remain silent, failing to hold them accountable.
We demand that our government abandon its hypocritical stance and follow the exemplary path set by Norway, Ireland, and Spain alongside the 145 member states of the United Nations who have recognized Palestinian statehood. Recognizing Palestine as an independent state is the only genuine way to contribute to a just and lasting peace in the region. It is crucial that Singapore joins this effort as well. By failing to recognize Palestine, Singapore not only diminishes the Palestinian cause but also tarnishes its own credibility on the international stage.
Singapore’s frequent excuse of its small size as a limitation to its influence is both disingenuous and cowardly. The smallest country in the world, Vatican City, under the leadership of Pope Francis, has unequivocally condemned Israel's actions as terrorism back in December 2023. Vatican City, despite its size, holds the position of a Non-Member observer state at the United Nations and continues to advocate for global justice without hesitation. Furthermore, many countries smaller than Singapore have recognized Palestinian statehood, including Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Malta (previously mentioned), and Maldives. These nations’ principled actions highlight Singapore’s shameful hypocrisy and lack of moral integrity.
With the recent update from the United Nations adding Israel to the global list of offenders that harm children, confirmed on Friday, 7 June 2024, it is imperative that our country cease this hypocritical stance and begin aligning its actions with its professed support for peace and justice.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/07/middleeast/un-israel-global-list-children-intl-latam/index.html
Singapore's blatant double standards in international affairs are glaringly obvious. It appears more concerned with maintaining 'bilateral ties' with a settler-colonial ethno-state that practises apartheid and occupation, rather than upholding principles of justice and equality. Our leadership’s deference to a state that routinely inflicts terror and violence on Palestinians reveals a disturbing lack of moral integrity. We urge our country to abandon its hypocritical stance and align its actions with its professed support for peace and justice. It is imperative for Singapore to not just speak of moral courage but to embody it, setting an example on the international stage that reflects true integrity and unwavering commitment to human rights. We, the citizens, hold no confidence in and reject a leadership that acts other than with moral integrity.
Sincerely,
Citizens of Conscience
549
The Issue
OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Dear MFA
SINGAPORE MUST RECOGNISE PALESTINE AS A SOVEREIGN STATE
We refer to Singapore’s vote in favour of the resolution to qualify the State of Palestine as a member of the United Nations at the 10th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 10 May 2024 in New York. We refer also to the Statement in Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN:
“https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2024/05/20240510-UNGA-EOV”.
Singapore's Statement, while attempting to portray a balanced view, reveals our government’s deep-seated hypocrisy. Even as it appears to profess support for a two-state solution, our government shamefully continues to refuse to recognize Palestine as a state, thereby downplaying the Palestinian struggle for self-determination under oppressive Israeli military rule. This glaring inconsistency exposes the cowardice and duplicity of Singapore's foreign policy, which pretends to seek balanced peace but, in reality, only acknowledges Israel’s statehood. Singapore’s Statement fails to address key historical and ongoing issues that contribute to the plight of the Palestinians.
Ignoring Historical Oppression and Displacement: Singapore emphasizes a two-state solution and recent hostilities without acknowledging the decades-long oppression and displacement of the Palestinians. Since the establishment of Israel, Palestinians have faced systematic expulsion from their homes, denial of basic rights, and significant territorial encroachments. This historical context is crucial for understanding the current situation and the deep-seated grievances of the Palestinians, which Singapore's statement completely ignores.
Selective Condemnation of Violence: While Singapore condemns the October 7th attack by Hamas, it fails to equally condemn the extensive military operations by Israel that have resulted in disproportionate Palestinian casualties and destruction. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with around 35,000 civilians killed and widespread devastation, is a direct result of Israel's actions. Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan acknowledged this by stating, "Israel has gone too far, but severing diplomatic ties with the country would not resolve the situation nor reduce the suffering of Palestinians." However, this acknowledgment is insufficient. The difference in language between condemning Hamas' actions and addressing Israel's actions is stark. Singapore is willing to engage with the Israeli government despite its ongoing war crimes and violations, effectively treating Israel as a state actor while it perpetuates actions that many view as terroristic. By focusing on the acts of Hamas and framing Israel's response as legitimate self-defence, Singapore is selectively condemning violence and failing to hold Israel accountable for its excessive and often indiscriminate use of force on civilians.
Imbalance in Responsibilities: Singapore's call for both sides to resume negotiations and make difficult compromises overlooks the significant power imbalance between Israel and Palestine. Israel, with its established statehood, military strength, and international support, holds a dominant position over the stateless and fragmented Palestinian population. Expecting equal responsibility and compromise without addressing this disparity is unrealistic and unjust. True negotiations can only occur on a level playing field, which requires addressing and rectifying the historical injustices faced by the Palestinians.
Implementation of UN Resolutions: Singapore highlights the importance of international law and UN resolutions but ignores that these resolutions have not been implemented primarily due to Israel's continued occupation and settlement expansion in Palestinian territories. UNSC Resolutions 242 and 338 call for withdrawal from occupied territories, yet Israel has repeatedly violated these mandates. Singapore's support for international law appears hypocritical when it fails to address the non-compliance of Israel with these critical resolutions.
Hypocrisy in Supporting Palestine Statehood: Singapore claims to support the Palestinians' right to a homeland and acknowledges the PLO's 1988 proclamation - Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is a Palestinian nationalist coalition that is internationally recognized as the official representative of the Palestinian people. However, by simultaneously condemning Palestinian groups and not addressing Israel's oppressive policies, Singapore undermines the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for statehood. The rejection of terrorism is essential, but so is the recognition of the Palestinian people's right to resist occupation and seek self-determination.
Singapore's approach is a disgrace. It claims to advocate for peace, yet its actions reveal a bias that undermines any genuine effort towards justice. Despite the undeniable war crimes committed by Israel and the United States, Singapore has shamefully chosen to remain silent, failing to hold them accountable.
We demand that our government abandon its hypocritical stance and follow the exemplary path set by Norway, Ireland, and Spain alongside the 145 member states of the United Nations who have recognized Palestinian statehood. Recognizing Palestine as an independent state is the only genuine way to contribute to a just and lasting peace in the region. It is crucial that Singapore joins this effort as well. By failing to recognize Palestine, Singapore not only diminishes the Palestinian cause but also tarnishes its own credibility on the international stage.
Singapore’s frequent excuse of its small size as a limitation to its influence is both disingenuous and cowardly. The smallest country in the world, Vatican City, under the leadership of Pope Francis, has unequivocally condemned Israel's actions as terrorism back in December 2023. Vatican City, despite its size, holds the position of a Non-Member observer state at the United Nations and continues to advocate for global justice without hesitation. Furthermore, many countries smaller than Singapore have recognized Palestinian statehood, including Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Malta (previously mentioned), and Maldives. These nations’ principled actions highlight Singapore’s shameful hypocrisy and lack of moral integrity.
With the recent update from the United Nations adding Israel to the global list of offenders that harm children, confirmed on Friday, 7 June 2024, it is imperative that our country cease this hypocritical stance and begin aligning its actions with its professed support for peace and justice.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/07/middleeast/un-israel-global-list-children-intl-latam/index.html
Singapore's blatant double standards in international affairs are glaringly obvious. It appears more concerned with maintaining 'bilateral ties' with a settler-colonial ethno-state that practises apartheid and occupation, rather than upholding principles of justice and equality. Our leadership’s deference to a state that routinely inflicts terror and violence on Palestinians reveals a disturbing lack of moral integrity. We urge our country to abandon its hypocritical stance and align its actions with its professed support for peace and justice. It is imperative for Singapore to not just speak of moral courage but to embody it, setting an example on the international stage that reflects true integrity and unwavering commitment to human rights. We, the citizens, hold no confidence in and reject a leadership that acts other than with moral integrity.
Sincerely,
Citizens of Conscience
549
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Petition created on 2 June 2024