Singapore committed to protecting all minority communities: Shanmugam

Govt takes firm view against violence, he says, stressing every community is equal

- Tham Yuen-C

Singapore is committed to protecting all minority communities living in the country and they include the Muslim and Jewish communities, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam on April 11.

He noted that sentiments against Israel arising from the Gaza conflict could affect the perception of Jewish communities around the world, but pledged that the Government would insulate and protect Singapore's Jewish community from such impact as much as possible.

Speaking at an event organised by the Jewish Welfare Board to celebrate the advent of Passover, he said: "We have made a clear commitment to protect all our minorities which, in Singapore's context, include Muslim and Jewish communities, and we take a firm view against any expression of violence, and obviously any actual violence." "There is a reason why a Cabinet minister is here, speaking with you - to send a message to everyone that every community in Singapore is equal and will be protected," he added.

Passover, the most widely observed Jewish festival around the world, begins at sundown on April 22.

Around the world, instances of Islamophobia and anti-semitism have been on the rise, ever since Hamas' Oct 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel that killed 1,200 Israelis, and Israel's retaliation in the days since that has killed some 33,000 Palestinians.

In Singapore, the situation has so far looked quite different, noted Mr Shanmugam at the event held at the Jacob Ballas Centre in Waterloo Street.