Singapore’s digital magazine Jom has challenged the ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) stance on the Gaza crisis, highlighting internal criticism and prompting a rebuttal from Petir, the party’s official publication.
In its weekly digest Singapore This Week on 30 May 2025, Jom contrasted the global condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza—particularly from leaders in Canada, France, and the UK—with what it described as Singapore’s “tepid rehash” of official positions.
Criticism of MFA’s response and the question of whether the PAP ‘hung Halimah out to dry’
The digest criticised a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) statement on 20 May as generic and lacking moral urgency, remarking sarcastically that it “could have been written by ChatGPT.”
Jom argued that this failure to speak forcefully against the crisis ignored growing public sentiment and international outrage at the mounting Palestinian death toll.
One of the few local voices to break the silence was former president Halimah Yacob. She condemned the “humanitarian catastrophe” and warned that silence could render one “complicit.”
Jom praised her intervention, calling it a necessary act of moral leadership. However, her comments drew backlash from PAP-aligned commentators and former political figures.
Michael Petraeus, a pro-PAP influencer known for his Critical Spectator platform, criticised Halimah. Former PAP MP Irene Ng Berry also suggested that previous presidents refrained from commenting on foreign conflicts, indirectly rebuking her.
However, Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, took a strong position against Petraeus. He condemned Petraeus’ remarks as minimising Palestinian suffering and warned that such narratives could divide Singapore’s multicultural society.
Jom argued that the backlash against Halimah was emblematic of the PAP’s discomfort with dissent and moral clarity from within its ranks.
The digest accused the party of using her race for political legitimacy during the 2017 reserved presidential election and now trying to silence her when she exercises moral agency.
“Do exactly as you’re told, Madam Halimah, seems to be the message,” the article wrote, highlighting what it framed as a culture of conformity.
The digest also targeted The Daily Ketchup podcast for offering a platform to former diplomat Bilahari Kausikan.
Jom claimed Kausikan delivered a pro-Israel narrative, beginning with 1947 and omitting the 1917 Balfour Declaration, thereby framing the issue through a Zionist lens.
It criticised the podcast for failing to challenge Kausikan’s realpolitik approach and for ignoring a broader moral discussion that resonates with younger Singaporeans.
According to Jom, many citizens no longer want foreign policy based solely on pragmatism but expect moral consistency in global affairs.
Petir accusses Jom’s editor-in-chief of making “groundless accusations”
On 5 June 2025, Petir published a rebuttal, accusing Jom’s editor-in-chief Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh of making “groundless accusations against Mdm Halimah, the Singapore government and the PAP.”
The publication claimed Sudhir was attempting to drive a wedge between Halimah and the government.
It asserted that the PAP’s Gaza stance had been “measured and consistent,” referencing statements from Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Faishal Ibrahim on 30 May.
Petir argued that Sudhir selectively cited former PAP figures and ignored current leaders’ remarks to build a false narrative that the party had abandoned Halimah.
Sudhir defends Jom’s work and questions Petir’s portrayal of the publication
Sudhir responded publicly, including on Petir’s Facebook page.
In a pointed comment, he generously thanked Petir for amplifying Jom’s work and invited readers to engage with the digest to form their own views.
“The PAP deserves better,” he remarked, sharing the latest digest published on 6 June 2025 and urging Singaporeans to educate themselves.
In this newer piece, titled Politics: Turning up the heat on Israel or diplomatic shadow play?, Jom continued its scrutiny of Singapore’s foreign policy.
Separately, on his personal Facebook page, Sudhir accused Petir of misrepresenting Jom’s work.
“I trust, dear reader, that you can read the above blurb, and last week’s STW, and make up your own mind,” he wrote.
Policy shift or public pressure?
The 6 June digest acknowledged that PM Wong had described Israel’s restrictions on aid as “completely unacceptable” and possibly in breach of international humanitarian law.
It also noted that Faishal Ibrahim agreed with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert’s characterisation of Israeli actions as “war crimes.”
However, Jom questioned the referencing of Olmert instead of international legal institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC).
It suggested that the statements might be performative, aimed at placating domestic critics rather than marking a real policy shift.
Jom cited a 2023 academic publication, Israel-Asia Relations in the Twenty-First Century, to argue that Singapore’s support for Palestinian-related UN resolutions might serve as political cover for maintaining close military and diplomatic ties with Israel.
The digest asked whether the recent condemnations by Wong and Faishal reflect genuine policy evolution or are responses to mounting public pressure—particularly from Malay Muslims and other sympathetic groups within Singapore.
Referencing the 2024 Singapore Airshow, where Israeli arms firms promoted their technology amid the Gaza crisis, the digest urged the public to reflect on the nation’s historical military relationship with Israel.
It concluded by calling on Singaporeans to continue pushing for transparency and change, asserting that since 7 October 2023, societal sentiment on the Israel-Palestine conflict has evolved significantly, catching leadership off guard.
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