Singapore ready in principle to recognise Palestine as a state at appropriate time

Key consideration is it should help progress towards peace, two-state solution: Vivian

- Chin Soo Fang

Singapore is prepared in principle to recognise Palestine as a state and will make this move at an appropriate time, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament on July 2.

Its key consideration in doing so is that such a move should help the progress towards peace and a negotiated two-state solution, he added.

"In particular, there will need to be an effective Palestinian government that accepts Israel's right to exit and categorically rejects terrorism," Dr Balakrishnan said. "Both sides have legitimate rights, and both peoples have a right to live in peace and dignity within secure borders."

He was responding to questions on Singapore's May 10 decision to vote for a United Nations resolution backing the admission of Palestine as a member of the world body, which it said was made after "serious and careful consideration".

PAP MPs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC) and Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang GRC), along with Workers' Party MP Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC) and NonConstituency MP Leong Mun Wai, had subsequently filed parliamentary questions to ask about Singapore's considerations for officially recognising Palestine as a state.

In his response, Dr Balakrishnan urged both sides to seize the moment to take steps towards a longlasting peace and put an end to the suffering that has "gone on for too long".

"Ultimately, Israelis and Palestinians would need to exercise leadership and would have to work together to forge a better future for their peoples. As Singapore is a friend to both, Singapore will continue to offer our encouragement and our tangible support to both Palestinians and Israelis," he said.