External events must never be allowed to affect the precious peace in Singapore, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam (right).
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Mr Shanmugam said the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict will have a significant impact across the world, including in Singapore and South-east Asia.
“This is going to be quite a tough period, but our fundamental attitude cannot change. We are all Singaporeans, we have a precious peace within Singapore. We must never let external events affect that.”
He added that what is happening in the Middle East is going to evoke strong emotions, but Singaporeans must maintain peace.
“There are deep divides in how people are reacting. And as the conflict unfolds, these divides are inevitably going to become deeper,” he said.
Mr Shanmugam said these divides are significant, and are often along racial and religious lines.
“The suffering of innocent civilians caught in the conflict is a very emotive one. But in terms of our own religious harmony and understanding, we are in a fairly good position.
“We have open and frank conversations. There is a lot of mutual respect and trust between religious and racial groups, and Singaporeans strongly value our racial and religious diversity and harmony.”
The minister reiterated Singapore’s support for the two-state solution on Israel-Palestine, which would allow both Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side as independent states.
He said: “Our position on Israel-Palestine – and support for the two-state solution – is well-known. It has been stated repeatedly.”
In July, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean met Israeli and Palestinian leaders on a working trip to the region, saying the two-state solution would be the only viable option to achieve a durable, just and comprehensive solution.
The two-state solution is also consistent with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Mr Shanmugam said on Thursday that it is possible to hold strong views on the conflict and yet condemn acts of terrorism.
He said: “It is possible to deplore how the Palestinians have been treated over the years. It is possible to deeply sympathise with the plight of the Palestinians, and yet still unequivocally condemn the terrorist attacks carried out in Israel.
“These atrocities cannot be justified by any rationale whatsoever, whether of fundamental problems or historical grievances.”
The Straits Times
