Singapore's government has actively dropped supplies to the Gaza population to calm its Muslim citizens, but never mentioned "criticism" of Israel.

According to reports by Singapore's official media, after completing the ninth batch of relief supplies transportation and the second aerial drop mission in the Gaza Strip, Singapore's Defense Force personnel returned home safely last week. Three military personnel involved in the mission said that although the operation faced many changing and uncertain factors, their daily training allowed the team to cope with challenges smoothly.

58 Singapore Defense Force, Singapore Armed Forces, and Newater Engineering personnel, as well as an Air Force C-130 transport plane, went to Jordan on the 12th of last month to deliver humanitarian relief supplies. The team also conducted a second aerial drop mission to the Gaza Strip, flying five sorties, dropping a total of 14.9 metric tons of supplies.

Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out in October 2023, Singapore has provided various forms of support to Gaza through actual actions, including humanitarian aid materials worth more than 22 million Singapore dollars. Senior Minister and Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran said that compared to some "showy" approaches, Singapore's measures may not attract attention, but they are "concrete actions" that genuinely help the Palestinian people.

Iswaran was invited to attend the annual seminar of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore on Tuesday (September 2). During the Q&A session, he listed several forms of assistance Singapore has provided to Gaza, including nine batches of humanitarian supplies, some of which were delivered by Singapore Armed Forces aircraft and personnel sent to the Middle East for aerial drops.

Singapore has also strengthened its Technical Assistance Package (ETAP) to assist the Palestinian Authority in improving governance capabilities. So far, over 800 Palestinian officials have participated in training courses and field visits.

Singapore will launch two new support programs in 2026, including a community policing training program for Palestinian police forces in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. In addition, Singapore will establish a Youth Leadership Program, inviting a new generation of Palestinian leaders to visit Singapore to exchange experiences in governance and public administration.

Iswaran said, "These works are very important, but they can't be summarized in a catchy headline because they require explanation and understanding. This is a serious and hard job."

He also reiterated Singapore's position, referring to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's statement in May this year that Israel's actions in Gaza may have violated international humanitarian law. Iswaran said that many people, including himself, believe history may make a severe "criticism" of Israel's actions in Gaza.

He said that if one adheres to the idea that "any country violating international law or humanitarian principles should cut diplomatic ties," Singapore might also have to cut relations with other countries, such as those experiencing civil wars or even supplying weapons to warring parties.

When responding to questions, he said, "In the absence of an actual functioning government and a feasible 'two-state solution,' immediately recognizing the State of Palestine would either harm or help the Palestinian cause?"

Currently, more than 140 United Nations member states recognize the State of Palestine, but the United States is not among them.

The largest opposition party in Singapore, the Workers' Party, proposed in its election manifesto released in April this year that Singapore should formally recognize Palestine as an independent state, even if Israel and Palestine have not yet completed negotiations on the "two-state solution."

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said at the time that Singapore has always supported the right of Palestinians to have a homeland, which must be based on a two-state solution negotiated through talks. Singapore will recognize Palestine as an independent state at the appropriate time, in line with relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Iswaran said on Tuesday that recognizing the State of Palestine requires three conditions: actual territory, population, and a functioning government; however, the reality is that Israel is actively obstructing this process.

Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1842289448339468/

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