S'pore's foreign policy cannot be driven by emotion: Vivian

Domestic unity, cohesion vital for effective stance on tough issues, says minister

- Tham Yuen-C

Singaporeans may feel deeply about what is happening in Gaza, with some even calling for the Government to sever diplomatic ties with Israel, but the Republic's foreign policy cannot be driven by sentiment or affinity to any external group, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said on Feb 29.

Instead, Singapore's foreign policy must be based on a realistic assessment of its own national interests and vulnerabilities, he added at the debate on his ministry's budget.

It is in this context that the Republic has condemned Hamas' Oct 7 incursion into southern Israel as an act of terrorism, supported Israel's right to self-defence thereafter, called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages taken, and also consistently insisted that Israel comply with international humanitarian law and the principles of necessity and proportionality, he added.

"Unfortunately, Israel's military response has gone too far. For avoidance of ambiguity, I am going to repeat that Israel's military response has gone too far," said Dr Balakrishnan, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to alleviate the unbearable suffering of civilian victims and to allow aid to reach them.

"We are also concerned that there may be a potential ground offensive into Rafah, which will only worsen the situation further." Hamas' attack killed around 1,200 in Israel, and Israel's response has killed more than 30,000 in Gaza and displaced most of its 2.3 million people.

MAINTAINING TIES, DELIVERING AID

Singapore has made its stand clear, not because it is taking sides or "trying to correct history or rewrite history", but to uphold principles, he said.

While there have been calls by some people for Singapore to sever diplomatic ties with Israel, and to recall its ambassador, the Government will not be doing so, he added.