GEIS-新闻详情

S’pore’s foreign policy cannot be driven by emotion; domestic unity essential: Vivian Balakrishnan

2024-02-29 00:00:00.0 海峡时报-新加坡原网页

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans may feel deeply about what is happening in Gaza, with some even calling for the Government to sever diplomatic ties with Israel, but the Republic’s foreign policy cannot be driven by sentiment or affinity to any external group, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said on Feb 29.

Instead, Singapore’s foreign policy must be based on a realistic assessment of its own national interests and vulnerabilities, he added at the debate on his ministry’s budget.

It is in this context that the Republic has condemned Hamas’ Oct 7 incursion into southern Israel as an act of terrorism, supported Israel’s right to self-defence thereafter, called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages taken, and also consistently insisted that Israel comply with international humanitarian law and the principles of necessity and proportionality, he added.

“Unfortunately, Israel’s military response has gone too far. For avoidance of ambiguity, I am going to repeat that Israel’s military response has gone too far,” said Dr Balakrishnan, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to alleviate the unbearable suffering of civilian victims and to allow aid to reach them.

“We are also concerned that there may be a potential ground offensive into Rafah, which will only worsen the situation further.”

Hamas’ attack killed around 1,200 in Israel, and Israel’s response has killed more than 30,000 in Gaza and displaced most of its 2.3 million people.

Remote video URL

Maintaining ties, delivering aid

Singapore has made its stand clear, not because it is taking sides or “trying to correct history or rewrite history”, but to uphold principles, he said.

Get a round-up of the top stories to start your day

Thank you!

By signing up, I accept SPH Media's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy as amended from time to time.

Yes, I would also like to receive SPH Media Group's SPH Media Limited, its related corporations and affiliates as well as their agents and authorised service providers.

marketing and promotions.

While there have been calls by some people for Singapore to sever diplomatic ties with Israel, and to recall its ambassador, the Government will not be doing so, he added.

“Whatever we say or do diplomatically will not change the situation on the ground. Nor... will it influence Israel to suddenly change its policy, or will it necessarily immediately reduce the suffering of the Palestinians,” he said.

He added that Singapore has never broken diplomatic ties with any country, and noted that the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and even Arab countries like Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, have not broken diplomatic relations with Israel.

Asked about the thinking behind Singapore’s foreign policy stance by Leader of the Opposition and Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh, Dr Balakrishnan said the “performative gesture” would not be helpful.

On occasion, Singapore will have to take actions to signify its disapproval on various matters, but “even in your choice of actions and diplomatic gestures, be very restrained, be very careful, and then focus on outcomes”, he said.

In times of conflict, it is also better to keep as many channels open as possible, and Singapore has maintained good and respectful relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, he added, drawing consensus on both sides of the aisle.

Mr Singh said he agreed about not breaking diplomatic ties with Israel, adding that he would “rather be in communication with a party, rather than not be in communication with a party”.

In fact, maintaining these relations has allowed Singapore to work with the authorities in the Middle East to deliver aid to the people in Gaza, said Dr Balakrishnan.

Asked by Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC) about how Singapore is helping with the humanitarian crisis, Dr Balakrishnan said the Government delivered the first tranche of aid to the Egyptian Red Crescent in November 2023, and the second tranche directly to Al Arish near the Egypt-Gaza border in January 2024

A third tranche of aid will be donated, and delivered through Jordan, he added.

Remote video URL

So far, Singapore non-governmental organisations and the Government have raised more than $10 million for Gaza relief operations, he said.

Longstanding issue

Compared with the war in Ukraine, the war in Gaza has had less economic impact on Singapore thus far, but much more emotional impact, said Dr Balakrishnan.

This is especially so for the Muslim community here, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman said at the debate.

He pointed to ties of kinship between the Singaporean and Palestinian Muslim populations, strong feelings on the status of Islam’s third-holiest shrine, the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, as well as the bonds of common humanity.

That is why religious leaders here have given guidance and space for the Muslim community to express their anger, pain and sympathy, in line with strengthening the Singapore Muslim identity, Dr Maliki said.