In his call with Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Aghabekian, Dr Balakrishnan expressed Singapore's "longstanding" support for Palestinians to have the right to self-determination and their own state.
Singapore is also committed to playing a role in international efforts to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, Dr Balakrishnan told Dr Aghabekian.
Dr Balakrishnan noted that Singapore has contributed nine tranches of aid worth over S$22 million, as well as several airdrop operations to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, including the deployment of a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 transport aircraft to Jordan last month.
"Minister Aghabekian expressed appreciation for Singapore’s humanitarian assistance, as well as Singapore’s support for PA’s capacity building efforts, to prepare the Palestinians for their eventual statehood," said MFA.
Such efforts include Singapore's ongoing initiatives under a S$10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package to help PA prepare for eventual statehood, including by training Palestinian officials in topics such as urban planning and development, and public finance and fiscal policy.
During Dr Balakrishnan's call with his Israeli counterpart on Wednesday, he conveyed Singapore's "serious concerns" about the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza, said MFA.
Dr Balakrishnan emphasised that while Israel had a right to self-defence in response to Hamas' Oct 7, 2023 terror attacks, the "excessive military action since then has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation and prolonged the suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza".
He urged Israel to ensure the "immediate, swift, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid for civilians" in Gaza.
"Minister Balakrishnan also strongly urged Israel not to take any unilateral actions to change the status quo which would undermine prospects for the two-state solution," said MFA.
Dr Balakrishnan also reiterated Singapore’s view that Israel’s airstrikes on Doha were a "blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and undermined ongoing negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza".
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Singapore is also committed to playing a role in international efforts to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, Dr Balakrishnan told Dr Aghabekian.
Dr Balakrishnan noted that Singapore has contributed nine tranches of aid worth over S$22 million, as well as several airdrop operations to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, including the deployment of a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 transport aircraft to Jordan last month.
"Minister Aghabekian expressed appreciation for Singapore’s humanitarian assistance, as well as Singapore’s support for PA’s capacity building efforts, to prepare the Palestinians for their eventual statehood," said MFA.
Such efforts include Singapore's ongoing initiatives under a S$10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package to help PA prepare for eventual statehood, including by training Palestinian officials in topics such as urban planning and development, and public finance and fiscal policy.
During Dr Balakrishnan's call with his Israeli counterpart on Wednesday, he conveyed Singapore's "serious concerns" about the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza, said MFA.
Dr Balakrishnan emphasised that while Israel had a right to self-defence in response to Hamas' Oct 7, 2023 terror attacks, the "excessive military action since then has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation and prolonged the suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza".
He urged Israel to ensure the "immediate, swift, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid for civilians" in Gaza.
"Minister Balakrishnan also strongly urged Israel not to take any unilateral actions to change the status quo which would undermine prospects for the two-state solution," said MFA.
Dr Balakrishnan also reiterated Singapore’s view that Israel’s airstrikes on Doha were a "blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and undermined ongoing negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza".
Continue reading...