Singapore, a small and multiethnic city-state in Southeast Asia, has been drawn into the global controversy over the Israel-Hamas war, which erupted in October 2023 and has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has launched investigations into two events related to the conflict, which took place on Feb 2, 2024, and involved some Singaporeans expressing their support or opposition to either side. The police have warned that such events may constitute offenses under the Public Order Act, the Penal Code, and the Sedition Act, and have urged the public to refrain from engaging in activities that may affect the public safety and security, or the racial and religious harmony, of Singapore.
The Two Events
The two events that sparked the police investigation are:
- The Letters for Palestine event: This event, which was organized by a group of activists and artists, involved about 70 people gathering along Orchard Road, a busy shopping district, and marching towards the Istana, the official residence and office of the President of Singapore. The participants carried umbrellas with watermelon images, which symbolize the Palestinian cause, and prepared letters addressed to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, urging him to take a stronger stance against Israel’s actions. The police said that the event may have violated the Public Order Act, which requires a permit for any public assembly or procession, especially in a security-sensitive area like the Istana. The police also said that the event may have infringed the Penal Code, which prohibits any act that may cause public nuisance or annoyance.
- The private livestream event: This event, which was held at a private venue, involved a person live streaming publicly and chanting “from the river to the sea”, while others responded with “Palestine will be free”. The chant “from the river to the sea” is associated with calls for the elimination of Israel, and has been condemned by many as antisemitic and inciting violence. The police said that the event may have breached the Sedition Act, which prohibits any act that may promote feelings of ill-will or hostility between different races or classes of the population of Singapore.
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The Reactions and Implications
The reactions and implications of the two events are:
- The public reactions: The two events have generated mixed and polarized reactions from the public, with some supporting and praising the participants for their courage and solidarity, and others condemning and criticizing them for their ignorance and irresponsibility. Some have also questioned and challenged the police’s actions and motives, and accused them of being biased or oppressive. The police have responded that they are not taking sides on the Israel-Hamas issue, but are acting in accordance with the law and in the interest of public order and harmony.
- The political implications: The two events have also raised and highlighted some political implications for Singapore, which has maintained diplomatic relations with both Israel and Palestine, and has adopted a balanced and neutral position on the conflict. The two events have put pressure on the government to clarify and explain its stance and policies on the issue, and to address the concerns and expectations of the various segments of the society, especially the Muslim community, which makes up about 15% of the population. The two events have also exposed and challenged the challenges and risks of managing the diversity and sensitivity of the racial and religious issues in Singapore, which has a history of communal riots and tension.
The two events related to the Israel-Hamas war have sparked a police investigation and a public debate in Singapore, as they have involved and affected the public safety and security, and the racial and religious harmony, of the country. The two events have also reflected and influenced the political and social dynamics and challenges of Singapore, which has to balance and navigate its domestic and foreign interests and relations, and to maintain and foster its social cohesion and resilience.
