The controversial social media post by the Israel’s embassy in Singapore on March 24th, 2024, which prompted a swift response from the Singaporean government, has continued to generate concern. The post, which has since been deleted, compared the number of times Israel is mentioned in the Quran to Palestine and claimed archaeological evidence supports the Jewish people’s indigenous status in the region.
The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted immediately, lodging a formal complaint with the Israeli embassy. They demanded the post’s removal, citing its potential to inflame tensions within Singapore’s diverse population.
Last week, the Israeli ambassador to Singapore, Ambassador Eliyahu Vered Hazan, met Singapore’s minister for law and home affairs, Minister K Shanmugam. At the meeting, he apologized for the Facebook post urging the minister to accept his call for peace.
Standing before the country’s parliament on Wednesday, Shanmugan reiterated that Ambassador Hazan had admitted that the post was not only regrettable but was also wrong. And that the post was not authorized by his office, stating that the embassy staff responsible will be redeployed away from Singapore City.
During his meeting with the Israeli ambassador, minister Shanmugam further emphasized the importance of maintaining social harmony and security, particularly for minority communities. He advised against sharing information and taking actions capable of destabilizing the peace of the country and the region.
According to Shanmugan, such information or action “may start off well-intentioned, led by honest, idealistic people. Often, there is a group that has legitimate aims and wants to be peaceful.
“But there are often others who use these events where people gather to then engineer violence and put the police on the defensive, and try and egg the police on to try and engage in forcibly preventing acts of violence, and then it escalates.”
He continued: “Our own view is that if we allow protests on this issue, initially it may be peaceful, but over time, as the protests take a life of their own, there could be some violence, breaches of peace and law, and the occupying of buildings.”
Shanmugan further stated that the government wants to bring Singapore’s different cultures and religions closer together by building trust and understanding between people of all backgrounds, both in positions of power and in everyday life. The goal is to create a more united Singapore where everyone feels comfortable and respected.
Despite Israel’s embassy’s diplomatic immunity, Singapore’s firm stance resonated with the ambassador. He expressed regret for the unsanctioned post and assured Minister Shanmugam that the individual responsible would be reassigned out of Singapore.
This incident wasn’t isolated. Minister Shanmugam revealed that police received 43 reports of allegedly offensive remarks or actions targeting both Jewish and Muslim communities between October 2023 and March 2024. This rise in incidents underscores the delicate balance Singapore navigates in the face of the emotionally charged Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The incident highlights the need for responsible communication and fostering intercultural understanding. Singapore’s swift action demonstrates its commitment to maintaining peace and security within its borders. Singapore has shown its desire to encourage open dialogue and promote initiatives that bridge religious and cultural divides.
