Faishal Ibrahim agrees with ex-Israeli PM that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza

SINGAPORE – Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim on May 31 said he agreed with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza.

“It pains me to say this, considering Israel’s contributions to Singapore in our early years,” Associate Professor Faishal told reporters at an event at Changi Airport to see off 44 pilgrims to the annual haj in Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

“But I think we need to be frank. I fear an increasing number of people worldwide will agree with Mr Ehud, including myself.”

On May 27, The Guardian reported on an opinion piece Mr Ehud had written for the Israeli newspaper and website Haaretz.

The 12th prime minister of Israel, from 2006 to 2009, had said Israel was committing war crimes in Gaza, with thousands of innocent Palestinians and many Israeli soldiers being killed.

Mr Ehud said the government of Israel was waging a war without purpose, without goals or clear planning and with no chances of success.

“What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: the indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians... Yes, Israel is committing war crimes,” Mr Ehud wrote.

Prof Faishal had been asked about a statement by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 30 that

Israel may be in breach of international law

by restricting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

He reiterated that the Singapore Government believes Israel’s actions are likely to be in breach of international humanitarian law.

“PM Wong spoke about the situation in Gaza yesterday, he said plainly that Israel has gone too far,” said Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs.

“In particular, the restrictions it has imposed on the delivery of humanitarian supplies to Gaza are completely unacceptable.”

PM Wong had said that while Singapore had always said Israel had the right to defend itself, it had gone too far and its actions had caused a terrible humanitarian disaster.

He and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on the Gaza conflict at a joint press conference to announce

the upgrading of both countries’ relationship

across several domains, including defence, intelligence and nuclear power.

Mr Macron had said France

could harden its position on Israel

if it continued to block humanitarian aid to Gaza, and France may consider applying sanctions against Israeli settlers.

Prof Faishal said the Singapore Government has joined many countries to strongly urge an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilian lives, the return of hostages and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

“If you reflect, Zulhijjah is a month where most Muslims turn their eyes to Mecca as millions perform their haj. That’s what we saw today. However, in recent years, the focus in the Middle East has been Palestine,” he said. The situation there, especially in Gaza, is deeply painful, he added.

He said: “The suffering of the Palestinian civilians in occupied territories, including children, is unbearable.

“As we increase our worship during this sacred month of Zulhijjah, please pray for the safety of our haj pilgrims and remember the Palestinians who are in pain and are suffering. Let’s also be thankful for the peace and cohesion we have enjoyed in Singapore for decades.”

Prof Faishal added that he was particularly thankful that leaders like

former president Halimah Yacob

have spoken about the crisis in Gaza and have helped all Singaporeans think of the tragedy with compassion and grace.

Since March 2, Israel has

imposed a near-total blockade

on humanitarian aid and commercial supplies to Gaza after the breakdown of a two-month ceasefire.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on May 29 that

at least 3,986 people had been killed in the territory

since Israel ended the ceasefire on March 18, taking the war’s overall toll to 54,249, mostly civilians.

This round of conflict was sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel

that killed 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Out of 251 hostages seized during the attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

Addressing questions about 2025’s haj, Prof Faishal said that many Muslims have asked if Singapore’s quota for the pilgrimage can be increased from the current 900.

He said: “I want to assure all Muslims here that we will continue to work hard to engage the Saudi agencies and authorities to see how we can try our best to increase the quota. And this is not only done by me and my colleagues, but I think the Prime Minister himself is very committed to do this, so we will continue to work hard.”

He added that there have been many advancements to ensure the safety and security of Singaporeans making the trip, including the development of an application to help pilgrims manage their journeys.