Sharael Taha on Israel-Hamas conflict
What we are seeing in Gaza is “difficult to see” and we “cannot turn a blind eye on”, said MP Sharael Taha. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Nov 6), he said it is easy to be “engulfed” by the emotions around the crisis. He stressed that the situation in Gaza is a humanitarian crisis. The conflict is difficult to resolve and with no end in sight, it does not seem far-fetched to fear the worst, he added. “Staying together is how we can better assist the situation in Gaza as the world continues to work towards a long-lasting two-state solution,” he said. Mr Sharael said Singapore must act to ensure the immediate delivery of aid to the civilian population in Gaza. It must continue to support a two-state solution. Mr Sharael said Singapore can respond in a constructive way, consistent with its values. Firstly, a long-term solution can only be achieved by diplomatic solution. Hence, at the international level, Singapore needs to continue to support the United Nations in upholding international law. He said it is in Singapore’s best interest that a long-term two-state solution be diplomatically negotiated and upheld by international law. Secondly, Singapore must continue to support capability building for the Palestinian Authority. Thirdly, Singaporeans must continue to safeguard and uphold the country’s multiracial and multi-religious peace and harmony. Mr Sharael warned that the conflict can easily be misconstrued as a religious conflict which can quickly fan religious fervour. He urged Singaporeans to exercise caution and avoid polarisation of views on this crisis, especially since it has the potential to amplify the fault lines in society. “While many societies in the world are wedged by their differences, we must stay united as a society and recognise that this is first and foremost a humanitarian crisis,” he said. He stressed the need to mobilise the community, regardless of race or religion, to have a greater impact on this humanitarian crisis. “In Singapore, we are indeed blessed with this harmony and we are blessed to live in harmony. It is something that we cannot take for granted. We cannot let external factors divide us. We are unique in this sense. This is how we come together and respond as a united people in any time of need, including when helping others,” he said.
What we are seeing in Gaza is “difficult to see” and we “cannot turn a blind eye on”, said MP Sharael Taha. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Nov 6), he said it is easy to be “engulfed” by the emotions around the crisis. He stressed that the situation in Gaza is a humanitarian crisis. The conflict is difficult to resolve and with no end in sight, it does not seem far-fetched to fear the worst, he added. “Staying together is how we can better assist the situation in Gaza as the world continues to work towards a long-lasting two-state solution,” he said. Mr Sharael said Singapore must act to ensure the immediate delivery of aid to the civilian population in Gaza. It must continue to support a two-state solution. Mr Sharael said Singapore can respond in a constructive way, consistent with its values. Firstly, a long-term solution can only be achieved by diplomatic solution. Hence, at the international level, Singapore needs to continue to support the United Nations in upholding international law. He said it is in Singapore’s best interest that a long-term two-state solution be diplomatically negotiated and upheld by international law. Secondly, Singapore must continue to support capability building for the Palestinian Authority. Thirdly, Singaporeans must continue to safeguard and uphold the country’s multiracial and multi-religious peace and harmony. Mr Sharael warned that the conflict can easily be misconstrued as a religious conflict which can quickly fan religious fervour. He urged Singaporeans to exercise caution and avoid polarisation of views on this crisis, especially since it has the potential to amplify the fault lines in society. “While many societies in the world are wedged by their differences, we must stay united as a society and recognise that this is first and foremost a humanitarian crisis,” he said. He stressed the need to mobilise the community, regardless of race or religion, to have a greater impact on this humanitarian crisis. “In Singapore, we are indeed blessed with this harmony and we are blessed to live in harmony. It is something that we cannot take for granted. We cannot let external factors divide us. We are unique in this sense. This is how we come together and respond as a united people in any time of need, including when helping others,” he said.
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