Increase in anti-Singapore rhetoric and online extremist threats since start of Israel-Hamas war: Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE: Violent threats against Singapore by regional extremist groups online have gone up since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (Nov 6). 

In October, the police received eight reports of offensive remarks or actions targeted at members of the Jewish or Muslim communities in Singapore, he said. 

While this may not seem like a large number, the number of reports received in October is almost the same as the number of related reports received in the preceding nine months of the year combined, said Mr Wong, describing it as a "very sharp spike". 

Speaking during a debate in Parliament on a motion about the situation in the Middle East, Mr Wong said Singapore fully expects extremist and terrorist groups in the region to use the conflict to rile up sentiments and radicalise more people. 

Since the conflict started, regional internet traffic on extremist sites has increased threefold, he added. 

“We have also observed an uptick in anti-Singapore rhetoric, including violent threats against Singapore by regional extremist elements online.” 

The authorities have also detained Singaporeans who fell for pro-Hamas narratives and wanted to take up arms overseas in recent years, he noted. 

Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, it is “more urgent than ever” that Singapore prepare for all contingencies, said Mr Wong. 

This is why Singapore’s security agencies are on heightened alert and have put in place additional security measures, he added, encouraging Singaporeans to stay vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to the authorities. 

“In the end, our ability to respond to any terrorist incident depends on all of us. We must remain cohesive and united as a society, so that we can keep Singapore safe and secure,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. 

SINGAPORE’S NATIONAL INTERESTS

In his speech, Mr Wong stressed that Singapore does not want to import foreign politics or choose sides. Instead, it chooses what is in its best interests, he added. 

Echoing Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s condemnation of the Oct 7 attack, the Deputy Prime Minister said that even though Singapore empathises with the historical grievances of the Palestinian people, there can be no excuse or justification for the wanton acts of violence and terrorism by Hamas. 

“Let’s be clear: it is in our national interest to (condemn the Hamas attack). To compromise on this stand would be to compromise our own security,” he continued. 

Mr Wong affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, noting that the right to defend one’s citizens and territory is a fundamental right enshrined in the United Nations Charter. 

This means that Israel has the right to take action to prevent Hamas from attacking again, he continued. 

But in exercising this right, Israel must comply fully with international humanitarian law and the rules governing the conduct of war, said Mr Wong. 

This means that no matter how "gruesome" the acts of terrorism committed by Hamas, Israel cannot justify a disproportionate response that imposes collective punishment on the Palestinians in Gaza, he added. 

“If Israel violates international humanitarian law, it risks losing the moral high ground, and undermining its own cause both domestically and internationally.” 

From a humanitarian point of view, the catastrophe in Gaza is “horrific and unbearable”, which is why Singapore supported the latest UN Resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, said the Deputy Prime Minister. 

Singapore will do its part to assist in global relief efforts, said Mr Wong. He added that he was glad to see Singaporeans responding to calls for assistance and donating to fundraising appeals – a “concrete and practical” response to the tragedy. 

Singapore is friends with both Israel and the Palestinians, he added. “But it doesn’t mean we support everything each side does. Instead, we consistently take a principled position, in line with international law and in support of global peace and security.” 

On this basis, Singapore has voted in favour of many Palestinian-related resolutions at the UN over the years, for example, voting against Jerusalem being recognised as the capital of Israel, Mr Wong noted. 

These “unilateral moves” by Israel detract from the two-state solution, which Singapore supports, he added. 

“And that’s partly the reason why more and more Palestinians feel that violence is the only way to achieve their goals,” said Mr Wong. 

“The international community must therefore give Palestinians reasons to think otherwise. A non-violent path to an independent Palestinian state must be made unmistakably clear. Then the ideas of organisations like Hamas and its belief in the use of violence and terrorism can truly be defeated.” 

In all that it does, Singapore will act according to its national interest, which means consistently choosing principles and international law, said the Deputy Prime Minister. 

“That is what makes a small nation like us a credible, reliable and trusted partner on the international stage.” 

EXTERNAL EVENTS AFFECTING SINGAPORE 

Mr Wong also reminded Singaporeans that they must not allow external events to divide the country. 

With images, videos and stories distributed online specifically to rile up emotions and sow distrust, this can turn faraway conflict into “an emotionally charged issue that can easily spiral out of control”, even in Singapore, he added. 

For example, other countries have already seen instances of hate speech and religiously motivated attacks in recent days, and Singapore is not immune to such “divisive forces”, Mr Wong noted. 

Singapore cannot afford to be complacent, and this is why the country has worked hard to foster social harmony across its different communities, he added.

“I am very glad that our community and religious leaders understand what is at stake. Our religious leaders, in particular, are expressing their views in a way that shows sensitivity, compassion and kindness, so as not to destabilise peace and harmony in our society,” said Mr Wong. 

Having religious leaders who understand what is happening and what is at stake for Singapore “makes all the difference”, said the Deputy Prime Minister. 

He encouraged Singaporeans to be respectful and constructive in dialogue and discourse, both online and offline. 

“We should strive to listen to and empathise with one another, especially when we disagree and have different views. And we should not hesitate to call out inflammatory language which seeks to turn communities against each other,” he added. 

“In this way, we can collectively strengthen the peace and social cohesion that is essential to our Singaporean way of life.”