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Singapore urges Israel and Palestine to negotiate directly towards a two-state solution

SINGAPORE – Singapore has urged both Israel and Palestine to negotiate directly towards a “two-state solution” in the Middle East Peace Process.

A wounded Palestinian protester is evacuated during clashes with Israeli troops near the border between Israel and Central Gaza Strip Oct 18, 2015. Reuters file photo

A wounded Palestinian protester is evacuated during clashes with Israeli troops near the border between Israel and Central Gaza Strip Oct 18, 2015. Reuters file photo

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SINGAPORE – Singapore has urged both Israel and Palestine to negotiate directly towards a “two-state solution” in the Middle East Peace Process.

“As a friend to Israel and Palestine, we urge both sides to engage in direct negotiations and to refrain from taking any unilateral actions to change the status quo, including through acts of violence,” Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman told Parliament on Thursday (April 7) during the Committee of Supply (COS) debate for his ministry.

Singapore has consistently taken a principled position to support the right of the Palestinians to a homeland and this was conveyed in its statement welcoming the proclamation of a Palestinian state in 1988. 

Singapore also believes that only a negotiated settlement consistent with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 can provide the basis for a viable, long-term solution that will allow Israel and Palestine to live side-by-side in peace and security. 

Multiple efforts have been made to broker an agreement on a “two-state solution” in which Israel would exist peacefully alongside a new Palestinian state created in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, lands seized by Israel in the 1967 war.

However, such a solution appears remote because of ongoing Jewish settlement building; a split between the Palestinian Fatah and Hamas factions; preoccupation within the Palestinian Authority about who may succeed aging President Mahmoud Abbas; and a wave of Palestinian stabbings, shootings and car rammings of Israelis.

Efforts led by the United States to broker peace between Israel and Palestine collapsed in April 2014.

France is making another push at trying to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by convening an international peace summit to work towards a two-state solution.

The talks are expected to include leaders from America, Europe and Arab nations. The French proposal has been welcomed by Palestine, but rejected by Israel.

Dr Maliki said that Singapore welcomes the French initiative to seek a political solution to the stalled Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is long-standing and resonates with many in South-east Asia including Singaporeans,” he said.

“We share in the hope that a comprehensive and just agreement can be reached to achieve the two-state solution whereby Israel and Palestine can live side-by-side in peace and security.”

Dr Maliki said over the years, Singapore has helped the Palestinians to help rebuild their lives and develop their economy. 

He said in the last 20 years, Singapore has trained over 230 Palestinian officials in various courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.  And since 2013, Singapore has offered a special technical assistance package valued at S$5 million to help Palestinian capacity building. 

“Under this package, we have hosted customised study visits in areas like education, anti-corruption, and economic development,” he said. 

He also said Singapore has voted for several Palestinian-related resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly and a number of Singapore leaders have also visited Ramallah in the West Bank.

Dr Maliki also expressed concerns over religious extremism in the Middle East, noting that given the geopolitical complexities in the region, there is a risk of Singaporeans, especially its Muslim community being drawn into the narrative of sectarian strife. 

“Some of the causes of these conflicts are historical and long-standing, while some are driven by current regional political rivalries.  We should be careful not to be drawn into these conflicts that are exploiting religion for political ends,” he said.

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