PAP MP Edward Chia: ‘Sanctions on Israel do not work’ when confronted by Holland-Bukit Timah resident

SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament Edward Chia was said to have stated that sanctions against Israel are ineffective when questioned by a resident from Holland-Bukit Timah during a Meet-the-People session.

The resident, identified as Hasanah, met with Mr Chia on 16 September 2024 to ask why Singapore has not imposed sanctions on Israel, following up on their previous discussion from 23 October 2023 over the humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza due to Israel’s military actions.

Hasanah questioned whether Singapore would consider sanctions on Israel in light of a recent ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 19 July 2024.

Mr Chia responded that sanctions against Israel might not be effective and emphasized the need for caution in government decisions.

This concern was echoed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, who addressed a parliamentary question on 15 October from Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai.

Dr Balakrishnan explained that Singapore has consistently complied with all United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions as part of its international legal obligations.

While some countries have imposed sanctions on specific Israeli settler leaders and entities, he noted that such measures have not significantly impacted the situation on the ground and that any unilateral sanctions must be carefully considered based on national interests.

Hasanah pressed further, questioning the government’s swift sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

She asked why similar actions were not considered for Israel.

Mr Chia explained that the situations were different, asserting that Russia invaded Ukraine, while Israel’s actions were a response to an attack by Hamas on 7 October.

In response, Hasanah argued that the conflict did not begin on October 7, emphasizing “76 years of violent occupation and other atrocities committed by Israel.”

She posed a hypothetical question, comparing it to Singapore’s historical experience under Japanese occupation: “How would you feel if Singapore were still under occupation 76 years later?”

Mr Chia countered that he believed Singaporeans would resist such an occupation in accordance with international law, adding that Hamas’s actions do not align with it.

Hasanah referenced Singapore’s history, specifically the efforts of Major-General Lim Bo Seng and Force 136, who conducted espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance against Japanese forces during World War II, asking, “What do you think Major-General Lim Bo Seng and Force 136 were doing back then?”

Expressing dissatisfaction with Singapore’s current response, Hasanah argued that humanitarian aid and UN votes were insufficient and urged for “more tangible action.”

Mr Chia replied that government officials have been actively involved in closed-door discussions and visits to the Middle East, though he did not disclose specifics.

Hasanah suggested that these efforts should be more transparent to reassure Singaporeans of their government’s commitment to addressing these issues.

Mr Chia confirmed that Singapore had sent substantial humanitarian aid to Gaza and was cooperating closely with Jordanian counterparts.

To date, the country has delivered four tranches of humanitarian assistance, and according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Singapore’s total contributions for Gaza have surpassed S$17 million (US$12.8 million) with the latest tranche of aid.

Despite this, Hasanah contended that aid alone was inadequate amid the mounting casualties, questioning, “What good is aid when they are dead?”

Mr Chia acknowledged that humanitarian aid might not be sufficient but reiterated the necessity of exercising caution, highlighting the risk of further escalation and the potential danger of nuclear escalation if the situation deteriorates.

TOC has written to Mr Chia to verify the accuracy of the exchange documented by Hasanah but has not yet received a response.

On 7 October, a group of pro-Palestinian activists from Punggol West gathered at a Meet-the-People session with MP Sun Xueling.

They urged her to consider sanctions against Israel and questioned the effectiveness of Singapore’s aid, given the country’s arms trade with Israel.

The activists are calling for more residents to confront their MPs on this issue, especially in light of the escalating conflict in Gaza.

They aim to keep the plight of Palestine in the public eye and encourage broader participation in their initiative, promoting solidarity for Palestine.

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Netizens criticize Singapore’s stance on Israel sanctions

Under an Instagram post by “Monday of Palestine Solidarity,” users expressed concerns over Singapore’s foreign policy, sparking numerous comments that questioned the government’s approach to international sanctions.

One user questioned the logic behind Singapore’s swift sanctions on Russia, emphasizing that Russia, despite possessing nuclear weapons, was sanctioned without hesitation.

Another user echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Russia’s nuclear status did not prevent sanctions, thus questioning the consistency of Singapore’s stance on Israel.

Several users noted what they perceived as inconsistency in the government’s approach, cautioning that selective enforcement of moral standards could erode public trust.

They voiced concerns that inconsistent policies could cause the public to question future sanctions and disengage from both national and international affairs, potentially weakening loyalty to the nation.

Some users went further, alleging that the government was implicitly justifying genocide by its stance.

One commenter argued that if nuclear escalation is indeed a serious concern, it would be wiser to take preventative action now rather than waiting for further escalation.

They added that it was “disgusting” to see people “blatantly ignore” the issue, accusing others of “talking in circles to justify genocide.”

Another user expressed frustration with the government’s narrative, contending that focusing on the events of 7 October as justification for the ongoing conflict was both morally misguided and deeply troubling.