Daud During the 10th Emergency Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Oct 27, Singapore voted in favour of a resolution calling for an "immediate humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities" and condemning the violence against both Palestinian and Israeli civilians.
Israel ignored that resolution. It has dropped more than 25,000 tonnes of explosives on Gaza Strip and deployed thousands of soldiers and tanks in a ground invasion, striking hospitals, places of worship, refugee camps and UN shelters.
More than 11,000 civilians have been killed, many of whom were children, and 1.6 million have been displaced. The death count has been verified by UN humanitarian teams.
These actions have been disproportionate. They likely violate international humanitarian law. Singapore ministers have raised this in Parliament and have counselled Israel to exercise restraint and comply with the rules governing the conduct of war.
NO DEPARTURE FROM INTERNATIONAL LAW
I recently read Bilahari Kausikan's opinion piece in The Straits Times on the matter ("Hard truths about Gaza war's cruel and complex dilemma", Nov 11). While most of what he said in the article was factual, his characterisation of Israel's actions in Gaza omits key considerations under international law and do not reflect the principled approach taken in Singapore's national position on this issue.
It is disconcerting that Mr Kausikan would suggest that the rules of war could be less than binding on Israel or, in his words, take on an "abstract quality as counsels of perfection".
His opinion piece invites us to accept that Israel would, in its exercise of the right of self-defence, need to comply with international humanitarian law only to the extent that it is practical. Mr Kausikan implicitly argues that Israel has no choice but to react disproportionately in Gaza and against its civilians to re-establish deterrence.
Esta historia es de la edición November 18, 2023 de The Straits Times.
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Esta historia es de la edición November 18, 2023 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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