RE-EVALUATING SINGAPORE’S POSITION
MP Gerald Giam (WP-Aljunied) also asked whether the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and its alleged targeting of peace negotiators should trigger a re-evaluation of Singapore’s position.
Noting that the Palestinian Authority has already made a commitment to renounce terrorism and carry out reforms, Mr Giam also asked what additional steps it has to take for Singapore to recognise the State of Palestine.
Dr Balakrishnan stressed that he had just announced sanctions and the conditions for Singapore to recognise the Palestinian state.
“Let’s watch very, very carefully how things unfold in the days, weeks and months. I’ve set out for all of us our principal considerations and the variables which we’re watching, and we will decide accordingly.”
MP Dennis Tan (WP-Hougang) asked Dr Balakrishnan to explain why Singapore voted in favour of Palestine participating in the UN General Assembly, despite withholding its recognition of a Palestinian state.
Dr Balakrishnan said the “New York Declaration” resolution was comprehensive, identifying the Oct 7 Hamas attack as terrorism, calling for the release of hostages, a ceasefire and for Palestine to take its place at the UN.
“We voted for it because we look at it in totality, this is something which we support, or which we want to happen, which we hope will happen. Even if … the objective reality has not yet occurred.”
Hostages are still being held in tunnels and Hamas is still in power in Gaza, he said.
“Nevertheless, we voted in favour of it because we think this solution encapsulates the full width of measures needed in the long run for, hopefully, peace to come to this region.”
