Singapore has reaffirmed its commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza through partnerships with countries in the Middle East, despite Israel’s recent legislative action banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and annexed East Jerusalem.
This position was articulated by Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan in response to a question from MP Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (PAP-Chua Chu Kang) in parliament on 12 November 2024.
In his parliamentary question, MP Zhulkarnain asked how Singapore would continue its support to Gaza amid Israel’s decision, and if there were plans for increased aid deliveries.
In his written reply, Dr Balakrishnan noted that while Singapore is “deeply concerned” by Israel’s legislative restrictions on UNRWA, Singapore is committed to delivering aid through other regional channels, in collaboration with partners such as Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Cyprus, and with humanitarian agencies like UNICEF and the Egyptian Red Crescent.
“Singapore is deeply concerned about the recent passage of legislation in the Israeli Knesset prohibiting UNRWA’s activity within Israel’s territory and banning contact by state authorities with UNRWA,” Dr Balakrishnan said. “This will hamper the provision of humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.”
He added, “We urge all parties to respect and support the humanitarian role played by the UN agencies in the Palestinian Territories, allow them unimpeded access to carry out their work, and ensure the safety of their staff.”
To date, Singapore has provided five tranches of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including a range of essential supplies.
These have included an A330 multi-role tanker transport from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), which delivered medical supplies, blankets, sanitation items, and food packs to Al-Arish, Egypt, in 2023, where they were later transported to Gaza.
In March 2024, Singapore’s RSAF deployed a C-130 aircraft from Jordan to airdrop over 20 tonnes of food supplies directly into Gaza. Additionally, Singapore’s latest tranche of aid, announced in July 2024, delivered rice and canned food to Cyprus, where they are being shipped into Gaza with the support of the UAE.
Further financial contributions have also been directed towards relief efforts.
According to Dr Balakrishnan, the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation has provided S$8.1 million to UNRWA and S$2.7 million to UNICEF since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023.
The Singapore Red Cross also made a significant contribution, donating US$100,000 worth of humanitarian supplies to the Egyptian Red Crescent in November 2023.
However, Singapore’s relatively moderate stance stands in contrast to a more forceful response from Malaysia.
At an Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh on 11 November 2024, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for urgent international intervention against Israel.
In his speech, Prime Minister Anwar called for the United Nations to adopt strong measures, including potential sanctions and an arms embargo, against Israel for what he described as extensive violations of international norms and humanitarian principles.
Anwar also drew a historical comparison, suggesting that Israel could face similar UN actions as South Africa did during apartheid, including potential expulsion.
On 4 November, Anwar announced to the Dewan Rakyat (Malaysian Parliament) that Malaysia had drafted a resolution proposing Israel’s potential removal from the UN if it continues violating international laws related to Palestine. This draft resolution, currently under negotiation, is expected to be presented at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) soon.
Anwar highlighted what he characterised as acts of “genocide” against Palestinians and argued that Israel’s obstruction of UNRWA’s work has caused the collapse of international humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
Anwar urged for robust protections for both UNRWA and UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, who he claimed have faced attacks from Israeli forces. He further warned that the ongoing violence risks igniting broader conflicts in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran, and called for a concerted international response to prevent escalation.
Adding urgency to the situation, a United Nations Human Rights Office report released on 8 November revealed that nearly 70% of civilians killed in Gaza in the past six months were women and children, raising significant concerns about possible war crimes.
The report, which confirmed over 8,100 verified civilian deaths, attributed the high toll to the extensive use of wide-area weaponry in densely populated residential areas.
Following the parliamentary vote formalising the UNRWA ban, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz defended the decision, arguing that UNRWA has contributed to unrest in Gaza, further citing the alleged involvement of some UNRWA employees in the attacks on 7 October.
Despite international criticism, including from the United States, Israel extended the ban to all UNRWA activities within Israel and occupied East Jerusalem, asserting that alternative international organisations would continue to support Gaza.
Humanitarian groups have raised concerns that Israel’s move to sever ties with UNRWA will disrupt aid delivery further.
With just 30 aid trucks reportedly entering Gaza each day, the needs of Gaza’s population remain unmet, a situation made more challenging by the reduced presence of UNRWA and other agencies that have faced logistical and political barriers in recent months.
While Singapore’s commitment to delivering aid remains evident, its stance of neutrality in the face of widespread allegations of genocide and war crimes in Gaza has drawn criticism.
This restraint contrasts sharply with Singapore’s earlier decision to take sides in the Ukraine-Russia conflict by imposing sanctions on Russia in support of Ukraine.
In choosing to approach the Gaza crisis with caution and restraint, Singapore appears to prioritise a “balanced” stance in the Middle East—a position that some argue fails to reflect the gravity of the situation.
By opting to work quietly through regional partners rather than directly condemning Israel’s actions, Singapore runs the risk of appearing detached in a crisis that demands international moral clarity.
Given Singapore’s past willingness to align with international action on Ukraine, the consistency of its “neutrality” now faces renewed scrutiny.
