Singapore has ‘very limited role’ to play in Middle East conflict: Vivian Balakrishnan

SINGAPORE: Singapore has a very limited role to play in the conflict in the Middle East, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday (Aug 7).

Member of Parliament Gerald Giam (WP-Aljunied) had asked if Singapore had plans to play some role to bring those on different sides of the conflict together in “some small way”, given the country's access to many of the parties. 

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply in the past week, as Iran and its allies ready their response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination but it has said it killed other senior Hamas leaders.

Western governments have urged citizens to leave Lebanon - where the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement is based - and airlines have cancelled flights over Iranian airspace. 

Iran-backed groups from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria have already been drawn into the nearly 10-month war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Singapore's top diplomat said in parliament: “Yes, we do have access, and yes, they do listen politely to us because we’ve got longstanding relations. And they know we don’t grandstand, we don’t engage in point seeking, and we’re not engaged in a publicity exercise.” 

Noting that Mr Giam visited the Palestinian territories in March with him, Dr Balakrishnan added: “But I think you would also agree … that there is a very, very limited role for us. It’s not a question of a venue for meeting or even offering good advice.” 

Until the top leaders in the “two warring tribes” can arrive at a conclusion that violence is not the answer and that concessions are “essential”, both groups occupying “contested land” are not going to leave and this will be a reality until the end of time, he continued. 

As far as Singapore is concerned, the country will stay united, help where it can, and uphold the principles of international law on all sides, said Dr Balakrishnan. 

“But let’s not overstep ourselves or assume that we’ve got a greater role that we can actually play,” he said, adding that Singapore is far away and “many steps removed” from the region. 

Progress Singapore Party non-constituency MP Mr Leong Mun Wai asked if it was still appropriate to characterise the Israel-Palestine conflict as a "family quarrel", a description previously used by Dr Balakrishnan himself.

In response, the minister noted that Singaporeans identify with the plight of Palestinian people, adding that Muslim Singaporeans feel especially strongly about it. 

They were also appalled at the Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians on Oct 7, 2023, he added. 

“We feel sympathy for the civilian victims on both sides and will extend humanitarian help to those in need. But we must not let problems elsewhere widen fault lines in our society,” he continued. 

“And none of us should seek to do that or take advantage of that for political point-scoring.”

Dr Balakrishnan also repeated a call by his ministry for Singaporeans to avoid travelling to Lebanon and other hotspots.

There is one Singaporean currently registered in Lebanon, who has insisted on proceeding with their trip, he said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued travel advisories against travel to Lebanon, in particular the Israel-Lebanon border as well as the Israel-Syria border, he said. Travellers to the Middle East should e-register with MFA and take precautions for personal safety. 

Dr Balakrishnan urged Singaporeans not to go to hotspots where safety will be an issue, or where further regional conflict is a real and present risk. 

“If that happens and you get into trouble, of course we won’t leave you behind, but you are actually generating enormous work and concern, sometimes even risks to the officers in MFA,” he continued, adding that there are officers on the frontlines in the Middle East. 

“Again I make this appeal, unless there’s really, really no choice, please don’t go, and please don’t give us unnecessary extra work.”