Keep Gaza victims in ‘thoughts and prayers’: PM Lee

SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (July 23) called on Singaporeans to keep victims of the ongoing conflict in Gaza in their “thoughts and prayers”, and to continue to support fund-raising initiatives for humanitarian assistance.

“MUIS is collecting funds for humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Singaporeans have donated generously, and not only Muslims. I hope more concerned Singaporeans will continue showing support in this way,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Pointing to the “hundreds of people” who have been killed, Mr Lee described the loss of innocent lives as “tragic and painful”.

Said Mr Lee: “Any lasting solution must begin with restraint and an end to violence, by both sides. I hope all parties will work together to stop this latest episode of violence.”

Mr Lee’s Facebook post in full:

In the last week, the armed conflict in Gaza has hotted up. Hundreds of people have been killed, mostly civilians, including many children and infants. The loss of innocent lives is tragic and painful. The Middle East is far away, but still we empathise with the pain and suffering of the Palestinian people, because of our common humanity.

Alas there is no easy solution. The Israel-Palestinian problem goes back almost a century. The distrust and enmity are mutual, and deep. Yet there is no future in this endless cycle of violence and retribution.

Any lasting solution must begin with restraint and an end to violence, by both sides. I hope all parties will work together to stop this latest episode of violence.

Let’s keep the victims of the ongoing conflict in our thoughts and prayers. MUIS is collecting funds for humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Singaporeans have donated generously, and not only Muslims. I hope more concerned Singaporeans will continue showing support in this way.