Singapore signals possible policy shift on Palestine in response to MPs amid global recognition wave

Singapore has indicated that it could review its position on recognising a Palestinian state, as Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan responded to multiple parliamentary questions on 22 September 2025 concerning Singapore’s diplomatic and humanitarian stance amid the escalating crisis in Gaza. His remarks come just as Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal officially recognised a Palestinian state the day before, marking a significant shift in global foreign policy. Britain and Canada became the first G7 nations to take such a step, with France and other countries expected to follow suit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) opening in New York this week.

Response to parliamentary queries

The issue of Palestinian recognition and Singapore’s humanitarian efforts were raised by six Members of Parliament, including Vikram Nair, Christopher de Souza, Dr Charlene Chen, Henry Kwek, and Hazlina Abdul Halim, who posed questions concerning the humanitarian crisis, food insecurity, the status of diplomatic engagements with Israel, and Singapore’s policy direction. In response, Dr Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore’s longstanding commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, but signalled that developments on the ground may compel a re-evaluation of Singapore’s position. “We will recognise the State of Palestine when it has an effective government that accepts Israel’s right to exist and categorically renounces terrorism,” he said. He added that Singapore could not ignore worsening realities on the ground, noting that further Israeli actions to undermine the two-state framework would have consequences for how Singapore approaches the issue.

Global shift: Recognition ahead of UNGA

The minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of a seismic policy shift among Western nations. On 21 September, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal announced official recognition of a Palestinian state, citing frustration over the Gaza war and an urgent need to revive the peace process. This aligns these nations with more than 140 countries that have already recognised Palestine. With the UN General Assembly convening in New York, further recognitions—most notably by France—are widely anticipated. MP Vikram Nair had specifically asked whether Singapore would reconsider its position in light of these developments.

Condemnation of Israeli actions and new sanctions

Dr Balakrishnan offered a sharp condemnation of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, stating that Singapore was deeply concerned by the disproportionate response and the worsening humanitarian crisis. “The scale of civilian death is harrowing,” he said, noting that over 60,000 people have reportedly been killed, including more than 20,000 children. He described Israel’s restriction of humanitarian aid as “completely unacceptable”, and said such conduct could be a breach of international humanitarian law. In response to questions by Christopher de Souza and Hazlina Abdul Halim, Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore would impose targeted sanctions on radical right-wing settler groups involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Details of these measures will be announced later. “We call on the Israeli government to cease settlement construction and expansion,” he said. “Singapore cannot recognise any unilateral annexation of occupied territory because this would be a flagrant breach of international law.”

Diplomatic and humanitarian engagement

In response to Dr Charlene Chen’s question about diplomatic communication with Israel, Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore has conveyed its concerns about civilian safety and essential services directly to the Israeli government through diplomatic channels. He emphasised that Gaza is approaching famine conditions, and humanitarian access has been severely obstructed. Singapore has sent ten tranches of humanitarian aid, amounting to over S$24 million (approximately US$18.7 million). This includes food, medical supplies, and logistical support. The most recent tranche involves support for Egyptian hospitals treating Palestinian casualties. A Singaporean medical team is assisting at the Nasser Institute in Cairo, while the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has deployed two liaison officers to coordinate efforts on the ground.

Aid delivery and regional collaboration

Responding to Henry Kwek's queries on aid delivery and long-term recovery, Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore is working with Egypt, Jordan, and international agencies to facilitate safe delivery of aid into Gaza. He acknowledged the complex logistical and security challenges in transporting assistance into an active war zone. Under Jordan’s Restoring Hope Initiative, Singapore is also providing prosthetic supplies for 100 Palestinian amputees being treated in Jordan and Gaza. In parallel, Singapore will contribute US$500,000 to the World Food Programme to fight hunger in Gaza. Dr Balakrishnan noted that Singapore is prepared to increase its humanitarian and technical assistance in future recovery and rebuilding phases once the situation stabilises. When asked how effective Singapore’s humanitarian assistance has been in meeting the needs of Gaza, Dr Balakrishnan said he could not attest to what happens once it enters the territory. International NGOs, however, have reported that Israel has restricted the amount of aid allowed into Gaza, a claim Israel has consistently denied.

Internal social cohesion and community support

In her second question, Hazlina Abdul Halim asked about measures to safeguard inter-community harmony in Singapore amid rising public emotions about the Gaza conflict. Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, addressed this in his own ministerial statement, delivered in both English and Malay. He said the Government was closely monitoring the domestic social climate and would work with community leaders to maintain unity and cohesion. He reiterated that recognition of a Palestinian state is not a question of if, but when. “We may not recognise Palestine today, but I would like to make clear to Singaporeans that we have not been – and will not be – silent onlookers to the tragedy unfolding in Gaza.” He noted that Singaporeans of all backgrounds were “horrified and saddened” by the suffering, and thanked the Malay-Muslim community and NGOs for mobilising support.

Unified government stance

Assoc Prof Faishal reinforced Singapore’s consistent position: that the Palestinian people have a right to their own homeland and to self-determination, and that peace must come through a negotiated two-state solution. He condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians, with 1.9 million people uprooted since the war began and 750,000 displaced after the March ceasefire. “The Palestinians, including women and children, have to risk their lives in an active war zone just to get food,” he said. “More than 1,000 have been killed during chaotic food distributions.”

Looking ahead: Leadership, compromise, and negotiation

Concluding his remarks, Dr Balakrishnan said that only political will and compromise can bring about lasting peace. “The Israeli people and Palestinian people both exist as an objective reality. Both have claims to a sovereign state in their ancestral homeland,” he said. He cautioned against absolutist narratives such as the “river-to-the-sea” slogan, warning that such visions leave no room for coexistence. “If you really tried to effect that, some terrible consequences follow from that, logically,” he stated. “There can be no ‘river to the sea’ for either side.” He expressed hope that inspired leadership on both sides would eventually lead to direct negotiations, consistent with UN Security Council resolutions. A United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded on 16 September that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, citing mass killings, denial of aid, and displacement. Israel rejected the findings as politically motivated. Singapore is a signatory to the Genocide Convention, which obliges states to prevent and punish genocide, though it has reserved consent for International Court of Justice jurisdiction. When asked the findings by the inquiry, Dr Balakrishnan said the country would leave the claims of genocide to be determined by the International Court of Justice and Singapore will have to wait for that and to act accordingly.