Progress Singapore Party condemns violence in the Middle East, endorses two-state solution for lasting peace

SINGAPORE: The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) took to their official Facebook page on Monday, sounding a clarion call against the escalating violence impacting innocent civilians in the Middle East.

In their statement, the PSP emphasized, “The PSP unequivocally condemns violence against innocent civilians. The lives of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians must be protected.”

The party urged Hamas to return all civilian hostages immediately and unconditionally. Concurrently, they called upon Israel to adhere to international laws, including the Geneva Conventions and the UN Charter, especially while defending its citizens and territorial integrity. The PSP reiterated their endorsement of Singapore’s long-standing position advocating for a two-state solution as the cornerstone for lasting peace in the Middle East.

This proclamation from the PSP emerged in the aftermath of Singapore’s affirmative vote for a UN resolution designed to protect civilians amidst the harrowing conflict unfolding in the Gaza Strip.

During the emergency session at the United Nations General Assembly on 27 October, the resolution garnered the support of 120 countries. However, 14 nations, including Israel and the United States, opposed it, while 45 countries chose to abstain.

This resolution underscores the urgency of protecting civilians during armed confrontations and highlights the deepening crisis following the Hamas-initiated attack on Israel on the 7th of October.

A cornerstone of the resolution is its outright denunciation of “all acts of violence targeting Palestinian and Israeli civilians”. This encompasses acts of terrorism, random attacks, as well as provocations, incitements, and destruction.

The international community is ardently advocating for an immediate and enduring truce, emphasizing the critical need for all parties to adhere to international laws. The resolution further emphasizes the consistent provision of essential goods and services to the beleaguered civilians of the Gaza Strip.

Disturbing figures have surfaced since the intensification of the conflict on 7 October. Health ministries from both Gaza and Israel have reported over 3,257 child fatalities – a heart-wrenching statistic that overshadows the number of children lost in global armed confrontations over the last three years.

Children, tragically, constitute over 40% of the 8,005 deaths in Gaza and represent a significant portion of casualties across the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel. A further grim detail reveals that an estimated 1,000 children remain unaccounted for in Gaza, believed to be buried beneath debris.

On the fateful day of 7 October, the Hamas attack resulted in 1,400 casualties, as reported by Israel.

In an interview with UN News, Francesca Albanese, a UN Human Rights Council-appointed expert, expressed the profound pain and trauma experienced by Israelis, emphasizing the magnitude of their suffering.

While recognizing their agony, she echoed the UN chief’s sentiments, noting that the aggressive attacks by Hamas on 7 October were not isolated incidents. Albanese pointed out the prolonged suffering of Gazans, who have endured five devastating wars and an ongoing blockade, confining 2.2 million people.

Since the start of the latest conflict, Gazans have been subjected to relentless bombardments, averaging 6,000 bombs weekly.