SINGAPORE – About 40 Singaporeans remain in Israel and the Palestinian Territories amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the region.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told Parliament on Monday that his ministry continues to be in contact with the Singaporeans who have chosen to remain.
More than 120 Singaporeans had earlier left by land or air, he said.
“While most Singaporeans left Israel via commercial means, a few who were unable to do so departed via dedicated evacuation flights which were organised by other countries,” said Dr Balakrishnan, reiterating Singapore’s gratitude to the governments of Australia, Canada, Portugal and South Korea for helping these Singaporeans to leave Israel safely.
On Oct 14, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed that five Singaporeans were among 220 passengers on board a South Korean military transport plane that evacuated civilians from Tel Aviv, taking them to Seoul.
MFA had on Oct 10 advised Singaporeans living in Israel and the Palestinian Territories to leave as soon as possible through commercial options.
The ministry had previously advised Singaporeans to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israel’s borders with the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria.
Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman told Parliament in Malay that Singaporeans had stepped forward to contribute generously to the humanitarian relief efforts in various ways.
As an example, he cited the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation’s (RLAF) fund-raising appeal, which will be directed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The fund has raised more than $4.6 million, while the Singapore Red Cross’ fund-raising campaign has also raised more than $350,000 from the public.
“The generous donations received thus far have been heartening, but more importantly, we see Singaporeans’ strong spirit of solidarity,” Dr Maliki said, noting that many different community and interfaith groups came together to contribute to RLAF’s humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Dr Balakrishnan said he spoke to Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Sunday, telling him that Singapore understands the tremendous strain that Egypt, as an immediate neighbour, faces. He added that Singapore wants to support Egypt.
“I commended the Egyptian government’s efforts to open the Rafah crossing to facilitate the flow of humanitarian goods into Gaza and equally, the possible evacuation of seriously injured persons for medical treatment,” said Dr Balakrishan.
Dr Maliki also said he will leave for Cairo, Egypt, on Monday night.
He told Parliament that he will oversee the aid that Singapore is sending, as well as RLAF’s contribution to Gaza.
He will also be briefed by various agencies about the situation in Gaza, and discuss with Egyptian leaders how Singapore can help the victims.
Dr Maliki said Singapore has engaged the Palestinian Authority leadership at the highest level, and since early 2022, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Dr Balakrishnan and he had visited Ramallah in the central West Bank. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also visited Ramallah in 2016 and hosted Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Singapore in October 2022.
Dr Maliki also noted that Singapore has and will continue to support the Palestinian Authority’s capacity-building efforts through the $10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package.
In a separate statement on Monday, MFA said Dr Maliki will make a working visit to Algiers, Algeria, from Tuesday to Wednesday, and Cairo from Thursday to Saturday. The visit will reaffirm Singapore’s warm and longstanding ties with both countries, said MFA.
In Algeria, Dr Maliki will commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Algeria, and meet the country’s leaders and businessmen.
In Egypt, he will meet Egyptian leaders and representatives from the Singapore business community there. Dr Maliki will also visit the Suez Canal Economic Zone and engage with Singaporean students and young Egyptian leaders.
