Singapore has a nuanced and evolving position on the recognition of Palestine as a state, which can be summarized as supporting the two-state solution while maintaining specific conditions for formal recognition. Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has stated that Singapore's position is "not if, but when" it will recognize a Palestinian state. This stance is rooted in a desire to see a viable, functioning state that can govern itself effectively and live peacefully alongside Israel.
Key Principles of Singapore's Position
Singapore's approach is guided by a few core principles:
Support for the Two-State Solution: Singapore has consistently advocated for a negotiated two-state solution, where both Israel and Palestine can exist as sovereign nations within secure and recognized borders. This is reflected in its voting record at the United Nations, where it has voted in favor of resolutions supporting Palestine's right to self-determination and its admission as a UN member.
Conditions for Recognition: For Singapore to formally recognize Palestine, certain conditions must be met. The key requirements are that Palestine must have an effective and unified government that categorically renounces terrorism and accepts Israel's right to exist. This is a critical point, as the current political landscape, with Hamas controlling Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, complicates the existence of a single, effective governing body.
Opposition to Unilateral Actions: Singapore has openly opposed actions that undermine the two-state solution. This includes Israel's settlement expansion in the West Bank, which Singapore views as a "flagrant breach of international law." The country has also stated it will impose targeted sanctions on leaders of radical settler groups responsible for violence against Palestinians.
An Evolving Stance
While Singapore has not yet formally recognized Palestine as a state, its position has become more explicit over time. In 2024, Singapore's Foreign Minister stated that the country was prepared to recognize a Palestinian state in principle. More recently, in a ministerial statement, he clarified the specific conditions for that recognition. This shift is seen as a response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza and growing concerns that Israel's actions are making a two-state solution increasingly difficult to achieve. The government has stressed that it is not a "silent onlooker" to the tragedy in Gaza, condemning the killing of innocent civilians and providing significant humanitarian aid.
The Singaporean government's position balances its long-standing close security and diplomatic ties with Israel with its support for international law and a just resolution for the Palestinian people. It's a pragmatic approach that prioritizes national interests, including domestic social cohesion, while also upholding principles of international law.
You can learn more about Singapore's official position on this topic in a video featuring Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Singapore will reconsider position on Palestine if situation deteriorates. This video is relevant as it features a recent ministerial statement from Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister detailing the country's official and evolving stance on the recognition of a Palestinian state.
