Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan met up with Israel’s leaders to express Singapore’s concern with the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The meeting came a few days after Dr Balakrishnan sat down with Palestinian leaders.
During his time with the Israeli leaders, Dr Balakrishnan expressed Singapore’s concern for the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for a ceasefire.
Dr Balakrishnan with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore
He also reiterated Singapore’s support for a “negotiated two-state solution”.
On Wednesday (20 March), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a press statement summarising Dr Balakrishnan’s visit to Israel from 19 to 20 March.
Dr Balakrishnan with Israeli President Isaac Herzog
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore
During his two-day visit, Dr Balakrishnan met up with the following Israeli leaders:
According to MFA’s statement, Dr Balakrishnan “expressed Singapore’s deep concern with the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza”.
To allow aid to arrive in Gaza swiftly and unhindered, Dr Balakrishnan called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
He also reiterated Singapore’s view that Israel’s military action in Gaza has “gone too far” — the exact words he used during his ministry’s Committee of Supply debate back in February.
At the same time, Dr Balakrishnan conveyed Singapore’s sympathies to the families affected by the Hamas attacks last October.
He reiterated Singapore’s condemnation of the act of terror and called for the “safe, unconditional and immediate release of all civilian hostages from Gaza”.
Additionally, Dr Balakrishnan highlighted Singapore’s support for a “negotiated two-state solution” in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The Foreign Minister had conveyed the same message during his meeting with Palestinian leaders on 18 March.
Dr Balakrishnan, as well as the accompanying Members of Parliament, also met members from some factions that make up the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
He then left Israel for the United Arab Emirates.
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Featured image adapted from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore.
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