Vikram Nair on Israel-Hamas conflict
All Singaporeans must safeguard and uphold the country’s multiracial and multi-religious peace and harmony amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, said MP Vikram Nair. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Nov 6), he said he received many emails from residents on the issue - quite a number expressed sympathy for Hamas, while others voiced support for Israel’s right of self-defence. “In order to maintain this peace, we need to find common ground and tolerance. We need to look for things that bring us together rather than differences that divide us,” he said. Mr Nair noted that many Singaporeans share and understand that both the Palestinians and Jewish people have a right to peaceful existence and a nation of their own. “Let us come together in solidarity to support the cause for peace and security in the Middle East,” he said. Mr Nair pointed out that the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire and called for humanitarian aid to be delivered to the civilian population, and for the hostages to be released. Turning to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Mr Nair said a state is entitled to take action against a non-state actor which poses a threat to the country or its people and when there is no state that is able to contain or take action against it. As a small country, it is important for Singaporeans to recognise this principle, he said. He also stressed the need for the Israel Defense Forces to comply with international humanity law, saying it is not legitimate to target civilians or objects that the civilian population needs for its daily survival. Any attack must be proportional to the threat faced and cause as little collateral damage as possible, he said. Mr Nair urged all parties to comply with international humanitarian law, both in spirit and letter. “No matter how emotionally upset we are, we should not abandon the rule of law. These laws are designed to curb our most savage instincts in the heat of battle,” he said. Mr Nair also expressed hope that both parties realise that the only long-term solution lies in a framework for them to co-exist securely. He stressed the need for them to focus on achieving a two-state solution where their people can live together securely.
All Singaporeans must safeguard and uphold the country’s multiracial and multi-religious peace and harmony amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, said MP Vikram Nair. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Nov 6), he said he received many emails from residents on the issue - quite a number expressed sympathy for Hamas, while others voiced support for Israel’s right of self-defence. “In order to maintain this peace, we need to find common ground and tolerance. We need to look for things that bring us together rather than differences that divide us,” he said. Mr Nair noted that many Singaporeans share and understand that both the Palestinians and Jewish people have a right to peaceful existence and a nation of their own. “Let us come together in solidarity to support the cause for peace and security in the Middle East,” he said. Mr Nair pointed out that the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire and called for humanitarian aid to be delivered to the civilian population, and for the hostages to be released. Turning to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Mr Nair said a state is entitled to take action against a non-state actor which poses a threat to the country or its people and when there is no state that is able to contain or take action against it. As a small country, it is important for Singaporeans to recognise this principle, he said. He also stressed the need for the Israel Defense Forces to comply with international humanity law, saying it is not legitimate to target civilians or objects that the civilian population needs for its daily survival. Any attack must be proportional to the threat faced and cause as little collateral damage as possible, he said. Mr Nair urged all parties to comply with international humanitarian law, both in spirit and letter. “No matter how emotionally upset we are, we should not abandon the rule of law. These laws are designed to curb our most savage instincts in the heat of battle,” he said. Mr Nair also expressed hope that both parties realise that the only long-term solution lies in a framework for them to co-exist securely. He stressed the need for them to focus on achieving a two-state solution where their people can live together securely.
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