Real negotiations, commitment needed to resolve Mid-East conflict, says Vivian

Progress on ceasefire hopeful, and S’pore will offer help where it can, says minister

- Hariz Baharudin Correspondent

For there to be a lasting solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, all parties must continue to talk to one another and commit to end the cycle of violence, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Nov 6.

Singapore engages regularly and has a good relationship with both sides, having built up trust, goodwill and credibility with both the Palestinian Authority and Israel, he added.

But it is also realistic about its influence, said Dr Balakrishnan, who underscored how the Republic knows it cannot shape the course of developments in the Middle East.

“A complete solution needs real negotiations between all the stakeholders, reconciliation, a commitment to peace, a commitment to not resort to violence, and the commitment to a long-term, shared future,” he said in an interview with Singapore reporters wrapping up his four-day visit to the Palestinian Territories and Israel, where he met several leaders from both sides.

Dr Balakrishnan said that progress on the recent ceasefire has been hopeful, and Singapore will keep channels open and offer help where it can.

While its circumstances are “vastly different” from those of Palestine and Israel, Dr Balakrishnan said he has always been struck on his visits to the region by how welcoming both sides are, not just to him, but also to Singapore and its officials.

“Clearly there is a significant level of credibility, and I would add, even trust and goodwill on both sides — Israelis and the Palestinians — (towards) us,” he said.

He previously visited the region in 2016, when he accompanied then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as in 2022 and 2024.

With such goodwill, Singapore is able to speak frankly to both sides and be taken seriously, said the minister, who noted that this stems from decades of steady engagement and consistent positions.