Three Singapore-based civil society organisations — Monday of Palestine Solidarity (MPS), BDS Movement in Singapore (BDS SG), and Function 8 — issued a joint statement on 7 September 2025 in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a decentralised international campaign calling for an end to Israel’s siege of Gaza, recognition of Palestinian statehood, and enforcement of international law.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, named after the Arabic word sumud meaning “steadfastness”, represents a coordinated effort by civil society groups around the world to highlight Palestinian resistance and demand international action amid intensifying humanitarian collapse in Gaza.
Describing Israel as an “illegal settler colonial entity” and calling its war a “genocide”, the groups demanded full economic, diplomatic, and military accountability. They called for a global boycott and isolation of Israel.
Gaza atrocities framed as global threat
The statement described Gaza’s situation as a red-line crisis, stating:
“We watch in horror as new atrocities are reported daily.”
It warned that the erosion of a rules-based international order poses a direct threat to Singapore’s national interest:
“Failure of a rules-based international order is a threat to the survival of Singapore.”
“It sends the wrong signal that rogue entities can disregard accepted rules of international engagement.”
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Over 64,000 Palestinians killed, many still unaccounted for
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 64,368 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began in October 2023. The figure, reported on Saturday, reflects only confirmed deaths. Tens of thousands more are feared trapped or dead under rubble in areas where humanitarian access is severely restricted.
International aid agencies have warned that the true death toll could be significantly higher, particularly in northern and central Gaza where large-scale bombardments have devastated urban districts.
The UN estimates that approximately 92 per cent of all residential buildings in Gaza – around 436,000 homes – have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the conflict.
The Singapore groups described the siege and blockade as a mass atrocity with global consequences, asserting:
“Israel… is a threat to the survival of Singapore and all other nations.”
They also reiterated demands long voiced by global Palestine solidarity movements, including:
- Sanctions and divestment from Israel
- Ending the humanitarian blockade
- Protection of aid flotillas
- International peacekeeping in Gaza
- Acknowledging armed resistance as a legitimate response to occupation
Rejecting neutrality and political delay
The joint statement forcefully challenged the stance of governments — including Singapore’s — that have adopted cautious or non-aligned policies on the conflict.
“We regret that leaders in power… have till now not acted decisively in any measure to stop the mass killing and forced starvation of the people of Gaza.”
“We refuse to watch in silence as Israel models to other governments that acts of violence and abuse can be unjustly committed against communities deemed ‘inconvenient’.”
Civil society statement issued amid intensifying calls for action
The joint statement was released amid mounting public concern from global and regional figures over Israel’s planned offensive in Gaza.
Former President Halimah Yacob, in a Facebook post on 4 September, described Israel’s plan to displace another one million Palestinians from Gaza City as “so chilling”.
She criticised the growing normalisation of Palestinian suffering, writing: “Nothing is hidden. Proclaimed to the whole world like it’s just another event in a series of destructive and violent acts waged against starving Palestinian civilians. It’s like a normal occurrence.”
“The normalising of injustice, oppression and trampling of Palestinian rights is highly disturbing.”
Mdm Halimah stressed the urgency of international recognition of Palestine, arguing: “That’s why recognising a Palestinian state is crucial… injustice and oppression must never be normalised. That’s why we have international humanitarian laws.”
Just two days earlier, on 2 September, Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for National Security, K Shanmugam, gave a public explanation of why the government does not currently support formal recognition of Palestine.
Speaking at a forum, he argued that premature recognition may ultimately harm the Palestinian cause, citing the lack of viable governance, functioning institutions, or stable territory.
“You have to ask whether recognising Palestine very immediately, where there is no viable government and there is no viable two‑state solution, hurts or advances the Palestinian cause.”
Shanmugam identified three criteria that must be present:
- A physical space, which he said Israel is “doing its best to prevent”
- A stable population, now disrupted by mass displacement
- A functioning government, which the Palestinian Authority currently lacks due to internal fragmentation and Israeli military actions
“(If) you recognise — what counter‑actions do you expect, and how do you think that it’s going to actually change facts on the ground?… My suggestion to you is it’s not going to change it in favour of the Palestinians. It’s likely to harm them.”
Singapore maintains that it is “prepared in principle” to recognise a Palestinian state, but only “at a time we consider appropriate”.
In direct contrast, the civil society statement rejected this logic, criticising it as a pretext for inaction that shifts responsibility to the oppressed.
The groups declared: “Palestinians must not be made to wait for freedom until others find it politically convenient.”
They added that requiring Palestinians to meet conditions of statehood while enduring bombardment, displacement, and blockade was unjust:
“The response should be a global boycott and isolation of such an entity.
Not a deepening of ties.
Not a position of neutrality.
Not ‘We are a friend to all’.
This cannot be the right position.”
Gaza’s humanitarian collapse intensifies
According to the United Nations, more than two million Palestinians have been displaced at least once since late 2023. Nearly one million civilians remain in and around Gaza City, which is now under threat of full-scale occupation.
Hospitals have collapsed, essential infrastructure is no longer functioning, and international agencies report that Gaza’s humanitarian system is “in a state of total collapse”. Clean water, electricity, medical aid, and food are in critically short supply.
The joint statement echoed these warnings, describing the situation as: “An emergency of international consequence.”
It repeated demands for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and enforcement of international legal mechanisms.
MPS, BDS SG, and Function 8 have been long involved in public advocacy and human rights education related to Palestine.
Their support for the Global Sumud Flotilla places them alongside a growing international movement that includes flotilla missions, boycotts, and coordinated global pressure.
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