Israel, Singapore ‘old friends whose ties are expanding’: PM Lee
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Photo: Koh Mui Fong
SINGAPORE — Israel and Singapore are “old friends” and bilateral ties that go back to 1965 have now expanded beyond defence and security, noted Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (Feb 20).
During a joint press briefing with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Istana, Mr Lee noted that Israel is now the second-largest contributor of foreign direct investment in Singapore from the Middle East.
“Our companies are active in each other’s countries,” he said, adding that Singtel and Temasek have made investments in Israel.
Quite a number of Israeli companies and start-ups are in Singapore, using the Republic as a base to launch into the region, added Mr Lee. He also noted that Singapore’s and Israel’s universities as well as research institutes have joint research projects and regular exchanges with one another.
Mr Lee said Singapore will “always be grateful” to Israel for helping the Republic to build up its armed forces when it became independent in 1965.
On his part, Mr Netanyahu said during the joint press briefing that Singapore and Israel are “kindred spirits”.
He said although Singapore and Israel are both small nations, they are global partners in many areas.
“We live in a technological era; the future belongs to those who innovate. Israel and Singapore are innovation nations and, together, we can bring more prosperity for both and a better life for our people and beyond our people, in the neighbourhood for which we live,” he said.
Mr Netanyahu kick-started a two-day visit to Singapore on Monday. This trip is a reciprocal visit following Mr Lee’s trip to the Middle Eastern country last year.
Monday’s visit by Mr Netanyahu was the first official visit by an Israeli Prime Minister to Singapore. He was accorded a welcome ceremony at the Istana, before meeting Mr Lee and calling on President Tony Tan Keng Yam.
A press statement issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said Dr Tan and Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed the strong and longstanding ties between Singapore and Israel, as well as exchanged views on regional and international developments.
The Israeli leader also met Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and several Cabinet ministers over lunch.
Last April, Mr Lee made an official week-long trip to the Middle East that included visits to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The visit was aimed at reaffirming Singapore’s good relations with Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian National Authority, and underscoring Singapore’s commitment to support the capacity-building efforts of the Palestinian people.
Later, at an official dinner hosted in honour of Mr Netanyahu, Mr Lee said Singapore admires the talent and spirit of the Israeli people.
“Your ability to overcome very difficult circumstances, your determination to solve whatever problems come your way, no matter how intractable or persistent. Your confidence that you will survive today and make tomorrow better, and step by step build a brighter future,” said Mr Lee.
“Those are some of things we hope to learn from you and that is one of the important reasons why we wish to cooperate with you.”
