Singapore prepared to contribute to Gaza reconstruction once permanent ceasefire reached
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) deputy secretary for Asia-Pacific Kevin Cheok delivered Singapore's national statement at a United Nations conference in New York about the peaceful settlement of Palestine and the implementation of a two-state solution.
He said that Singapore supports the Egypt-proposed Arab Reconstruction Plan and its vision for reconstruction in Gaza. The proposal would sideline Hamas and replace it with interim bodies controlled by Arab, Muslim and Western states.
The plan, a counter to US President Donald Trump's ambitions for Gaza as a "riviera", firmly rejects the US proposal for mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
This is the first time Singapore has publicly thrown it support behind Egypt's proposal. The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and Britain said earlier this year that they supported the plan.
In his statement to the UN, Mr Cheok said Singapore remains committed to helping to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza.
To date, Singapore has contributed more than US$17 million in monetary and in-kind assistance, and has worked with its regional partners and relief organisations to do what it can to help.
"Looking ahead, we are considering the deployment of a medical team to the region to help treat patients from Gaza," said Mr Cheok.
The country also remains committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority's capacity-building efforts through its US$7 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package, Mr Cheok said.
As part of this effort, the number of scholarships for Palestinians to study in Singapore universities has been increased.
It will also launch two new initiatives next year.
Singapore will collaborate with Japan to train Palestinian Civil Police officers in community policing. It will also launch a young leaders' programme to share its experiences in public administration and governance.
"We hope that these efforts will help prepare Palestinians for their eventual statehood."
VIOLATION OF HUMANITARIAN LAW
At the UN, Mr Cheok reiterated Singapore's comments on the situation in Gaza and again called for a ceasefire and for Hamas to release all remaining hostages immediately and unconditionally.
"What we are witnessing in Gaza today is heartbreaking. The denial of humanitarian aid is causing starvation and a dire lack of essential medical services," he said.
"The reports of people being shot whilst desperately trying to access food are shocking. This is unconscionable and a violation of international humanitarian law."
He called on the Israeli government to immediately lift all restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and said the UN and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must be allowed to resume their aid missions unimpeded.
"We must do all we can to prevent a further loss of life on both sides."
Singapore has "consistently supported the right of the Palestinians to their own homeland based on a negotiated two-state solution", Mr Cheok said.
"We firmly believe that this is the only viable pathway to achieving a comprehensive, just, and durable solution to this longstanding conflict. To this end, we are prepared in principle to recognise the State of Palestine."
Singapore's key consideration is that such a move "should help progress" towards peace and a negotiated two-state solution.
"There must be an effective Palestinian government in place, that also categorically renounces terrorism and accepts Israel's right to exist," said Mr Cheok.
He added that Singapore welcomes a letter from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, dated Jun 9, that reiterated "the Palestinian Authority's continued rejection of violence and terrorism, its longstanding recognition of Israel's right to exist, and its commitment to the implementation of its reform agenda".
Singapore hopes that these commitments can be implemented fully, said Mr Cheok.
It also urged Israelis and Palestinians to "return to the negotiating table and make necessary, albeit difficult, concessions".
"To continue on the current trajectory will only make the goal of peace even more difficult to achieve, and result in an endless cycle of mutual hatred and violence," said Mr Cheok.
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