Ministerial statement: Vivian Balakrishnan on the situation in the Middle East

Singapore will recognise the State of Palestine when it has an effective government that accepts Israel's right to exist and categorically renounces terrorism, said Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. In a ministerial statement in parliament on Monday (Sep 22), he laid out Singapore’s position on the recognition of Palestinian statehood. He pointed out that there has not been a unified Palestinian government that exercises effective control in the Palestinian Territories, including the West Bank and Gaza. What will happen in Gaza after the ceasefire remains unclear, he said. Hamas has consistently rejected Israel’s right to exist and has yet to renounce terrorism or agree to disarm, he added. Dr Balakrishnan said it remains to be seen whether the Palestinian Authority can really disarm and displace Hamas from Gaza. “So, we will closely monitor the fulfilment of these commitments made by the Palestinian Authority,” he said. Dr Balakrishnan said to resolve this longstanding conflict in a comprehensive, just and durable manner, there needs to be a negotiated settlement which results in two states - one Israeli, one Palestinian - with their peoples living alongside each other in peace, security and dignity. “It seems like an impossible dream. And as difficult and distant as it may now seem, nevertheless, we believe this is still the only viable pathway to a lasting peace. And so, Singapore will continue to support any initiative to resume negotiations between the parties involved towards this ultimate goal,” he said.