Singapore Prepared to Recognize State of Palestine in Principle, Says Envoy at High-Level UN Meeting

Singapore is prepared in principle to recognize the state of Palestine, and the key consideration is that such a move should help foster progress towards peace and a negotiated two-state solution.

- Wong Yang

Singapore envoy Kevin Cheok, in a statement delivered at a high-level UN conference in New York on July 29, said the Republic is also considering the deployment of a medical team to the region to help treat patients from Gaza.

In the longer term, Singapore is prepared to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza—once a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached, he added.

Mr. Cheok said: "Singapore has consistently supported the right of the Palestinians to their own homeland based on a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

"We firmly believe that this is the only viable pathway to achieving a comprehensive, just, and durable solution to this longstanding conflict."

Singapore also supports the Arab Reconstruction Plan and its vision for rebuilding in Gaza as proposed by Egypt, he added.

Egypt's Reconstruction Plan for Gaza is a 112-page document that includes maps of how its land would be redeveloped and features images of housing developments, gardens, and community centers generated by artificial intelligence.

The three-day United Nations conference on implementing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. The last day was July 30.

Representatives from about 125 countries came together to work on a declaration that would outline steps towards implementing a two-state solution between the warring parties.