Dear Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan (Minister of Foreign Affairs),

We, the undersigned residents of Singapore, come together to express our profound concerns over the Israeli genocide of Gaza and call for our government to terminate all diplomatic relations with Israel. We firmly believe that the time has come to sever ties with a nation that blatantly disregards international law and is currently causing immense suffering to thousands of innocent men, women, and children in Palestine.

Despite an overwhelming majority in the UN calling for a ceasefire, Israel’s disregard for international consensus and international law shouldn’t be met with passivity. It is crucial that we join the international community in diplomatically isolating Israel. Anything less from the government would be a failure in upholding the standards of international law and puts into question our moral standards when violence is allowed to continue.

This severance of diplomatic relations entails the following:

1. Withdrawing Singapore’s recently appointed ambassador to Israel, Mr Ian Mak Jung-I
2. Terminating the diplomatic presence of Israel in Singapore, namely, the Israeli Embassy

A diplomatic isolation must be had as a testament to our unwavering respect for international law in light of the atrocities committed by Israel. The reasons for ending diplomatic relations also extends to the problematic conduct of the Israeli Embassy in Singapore.

A ‘Textbook Case’ of Genocide

Israel's actions in Gaza are nothing short of war crimes, transforming Gaza into a harrowing killing field. We see this in the media and reports coming out of Gaza every single day. We must draw attention to the indiscriminate bombing of people, including within places of worship and hospitals. The recent tragic bombing of Al-Shifa Hospital is one of numerous examples. This unrelenting onslaught equates to collective punishment, as access to essential resources like fuel, internet, electricity, food, and water has been  intentionally curtailed, leaving the innocent population in desperate, dire straits.

 

 

It is deeply alarming that recently, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured above) has made overt references to the biblical concept of Amalek, invoking a history of destruction and annihilation. This chilling rhetoric, coupled with Israeli officials openly declaring their “emphasis is on damage, not accuracy”, has grave implications for the civilians trapped in Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's declaration that "Gaza won't return to what it was before" and his dehumanizing characterization of Gaza's people as “human animals” adds to the profound sense of concern.

“I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”
1 Samuel 15:2-4

Worse still, a leaked document suggests a disturbing plan for a ‘population transfer,' underscoring the urgency of addressing the grave human rights violations and potential genocide occurring in Gaza.

A full ‘chapter-and-verse’ list of war crimes that Israel has committed since 7th October has been compiled by economist and politician Yanis Varoufakis, and is available here. A few of Israel’s war crimes that Varoufakis compiled include:

Act: Imposition of a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, totally depriving Gazans of electricity, food and fuel, and tightening even more the existing 16-year-old blockade thereof.
Violation: Statute of the International Criminal Court, 1998 Article 6(c): Deliberately inflicting on a group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part

Act: “We are fighting human animals, and we act accordingly” (Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant)
Violation: Article 25(3)(e): Directly and publicly Incites others to commit genocide

Act: Israel “directly targeted a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance in northern Gaza” on Wednesday, killing paramedics Khalil Al-Sharif, Yasser Al-Masri and Ahmed Dahman”
Violation: Article 8(2)(b)(xiv): Intentionally directing attacks against buildings, material, medical units and transport, and personnel using the distinctive emblems of the Geneva Conventions in conformity with international law

Act: The Israeli bombardment has rendered the Beit Hanoun hospital inoperative and damaged Al-Shifa hospital’s neonatal unit
Violation: Article 8(2)(b)(ix): Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives

Act: Israel’s use of white phosphorus on 10 and 11 October 2023
Violation: Article 8(2)(b)(xviii): Employing asphyxiating, poisonous or other gasses, and all analogous liquids, materials or devices

These actions indeed constitute clear violations of international laws and must be seen as acts of genocide. It's essential to note that these violations have persisted since the commencement of Israel's response to the Hamas attacks on October 7th. This prolonged conflict and the continuous perpetration of such crimes undermine the principles of proportionality, and even in the face of UN proposals for ceasefires or ‘humanitarian pauses’, Israel's actions have not ceased.

The Conduct of Israeli’s Embassy in Singapore

The content featured on the Israeli Embassy's official Instagram page is highly concerning, as it appears to be meticulously designed to incite intense emotions and includes elements of Islamophobic rhetoric, exemplified by the use of hashtags like #HamasISIS. Such official platforms should not be utilized for disseminating statements containing threats like "They all will pay" or propagating false claims about beheaded infants, which have been adequately debunked.

 

 

 

 

The content shared on the embassy's social media platforms seemingly goes against the government’s recent caution on supporting or importing foreign politics. Through the sharing of unverified information and potentially evoking emotions of Singaporeans, there is cause for concern should this content serve as a recruitment tool or to cause tensions domestically by justifying the Israeli government’s actions. It is imperative to address these concerns and carefully weigh the ramifications of maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel.

Furthermore, on a post made on instagram from a memorial event, Vered Hazan, the Ambassador of Israel to Singapore attended, is quoted saying “...Israel would win, in the name of the babies.” This statement prompts us to consider the true intent behind such a declaration and what "Israel winning" entails.

Does it suggest the continued violence and loss of life? The presence of an individual who has made such statements that has been at the center of a deeply polarising conflict is a source of disquiet for us, as we seek to maintain peace and stability in Singapore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Singapore is genuinely committed to its stance of prohibiting individuals who incite emotions and division, then the Israeli Ambassador to Singapore and the embassy team must be held accountable. These rules should apply to all, not only residents and migrant workers, but to every representative of their respective nations.

 

 

 

 

The Need for Diplomatic Isolation and it's Implications

In light of the recent actions taken by several countries, including Bolivia, Colombia, and Chile, which have recalled their ambassadors from Israel as a form of protest against recent events, Singapore should carefully examine these actions as instructive precedents for diplomatic responses. While signing a ceasefire resolution symbolises our commitment to ending the tragic loss of life in Gaza, it is imperative that we align our actions with our stated position. To genuinely uphold this stance, we must follow the lead of nations that have not merely endorsed the resolution but have also implemented measures that directly impact Israel and its diplomatic presence in Singapore. This consistent, coordinated action is vital for an actual ceasefire now.

Mr. Balakrishnan, we strongly implore you to give these concerns the utmost consideration and to explore diplomatic measures that align with our unwavering commitment to peace, respect, and justice within the global arena. In the event that such actions are not taken, we, the citizens, may be compelled to exercise our own political agency through our votes, as we rightfully deserve leaders who authentically represent our values, rather than those with whom they may be engaged in business.

We kindly request that you address these issues with expediency and transparency, thereby demonstrating our shared dedication to principles of justice, human rights, and international peace.

 

Sincerely,
The Undersigned Residents of Singapore

 

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