SINGAPORE REPRIMANDS ISRAEL EMBASSY OVER POST
March 27, 2024The Singaporean Minister of Home Affairs, Mr K. Shanmugam, has reprimanded the Israeli embassy for a Facebook post that they suspected would cause tensions between Jewish and Muslim residents of Singapore.
“That post, on the Israeli embassy social media page, is completely unacceptable. Posts like these can inflame tensions and can put the Jewish community here at risk. The anger from the post can potentially spill over into the physical realm.”
The post published on Sunday stated: “Israel is mentioned 43 times in the Koran. On the other hand, Palestine is not mentioned even once.”
The post went on to say that archaeological evidence such as maps, documents and coins show that Jewish people are the indigenous people of Israel.
“This post is an astonishing attempt to rewrite history,” Mr @kshanmugam said. “The writer of the post should look at UN resolutions, see if Israel’s actions in the past few decades have been consistent with international law before trying to rewrite history.”
The Israeli Foreign Mission to Singapore responded promptly apologising for the post claiming it was done without formal approval.
“The Israel Embassy respects religion and racial harmony in Singapore. We assure you that the social media post that had gone up was done without the necessary approvals and the person responsible has already been harshly punished and will face internal disciplinary measures.”
Singapore is only one of two Southeast Asian states that do NOT recognise a Palestinian state and has historically allied itself with Israel, contrary to most of its neighbours.
TIME FOR SINGAPORE TO REVIEW ITS FOREIGN POLICY ON ISRAEL AND PALESTINE AND SHIFT!
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English Script:
CNA Anchor: The Israeli embassy in Singapore says it has, quote, “harshly punished” a staff member for putting up an unauthorized social media post”, that Home Affairs Minister, K. Shanmugam. has criticized as, quote, “completely unacceptable.” The post compared the mentions of Israel and Palestine in a religious text. The Singapore government told the embassy to take it down, saying it undermines safety, security and harmony here. It was removed immediately. Rebecca Metteo tells us more.
Rebecca Metteo: Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam has called out the Israeli embassy and described its post as wrong at many levels. He said it is insensitive and inappropriate and that the Singapore Government has made their views very clear to the embassy that this is unacceptable.
K. Shanmugam: We look after the safety of everyone in Singapore. Majority and minority, or minorities. That includes Muslims, Jews, who are minorities in Singapore. There is a vibrant Jewish community here that contributes much to our community and country. Jews here have very little concern for their safety and security. Posts like these can however, inflame tensions and can put the Jewish community here at risk. The anger from the post can potentially spill over into the physical realm.
Rebecca Metteo: Calling it an astonishing attempt to rewrite history. Mr. Shanmugam said the post, it’s also wrong to use religious texts to make a political point. He said it’s not common for the government to interfere with what embassies here say, but the severity of the post left him with no choice.
K. Shanmugam: We told them to take it down because of the potential consequences for the different communities within Singapore. Often embassies say and put out posts, statements which we may disagree with, but we generally don’t intervene because they represent sovereign countries. They have autonomy, but where it affects the safety and security of people in Singapore, the peace and harmony that we enjoy, we do and we will intervene.
Rebecca Metteo: Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan reminded people to be careful with their words.
Vivian Balakrishnan: Bear in mind the fact that we’re in Singapore. In Singapore we do things differently and with all due respect to foreign countries, we think that on the management of race, language and religion, I think, you know, for what it’s worth, I think we are a positive example.Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifili said the post was insensitive and disrespectful. He says it goes against the spirit of mutual respect and understanding that Singapore has built over the years. But he urged everyone to remain calm and civil and continue to preserve the trust, peace and harmony among the communities. In a statement, the Israeli embassy said: “The post was done by a staff member without the necessary approvals.” It said: “The embassy respects religious and racial harmony in Singapore and has taken action against the errant staff.”
