Singapore's order to Israeli embassy to remove Koran-Palestine post reflects 'heightened sensitivity'

The Singapore government's strong reaction to an Israeli embassy Facebook post that was slammed by a top official as an "astonishing attempt to rewrite history" reflects "heightened sensitivity" in the city state on the Gaza war.

The case marked the first time the Singapore government had asked a foreign mission to remove a social media post, Eugene Tan, a law professor at the Singapore Management University, pointed out.

"The Singapore government's intervention was premised on her sovereign right to ensure law and order and the maintenance of religious harmony in Singapore," Tan said.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

"This distinction has to be clear so that the basis of the Singapore government's action is clear and aligned with international law and norms."

The Israeli embassy published a now-removed post on Sunday containing claims comparing mentions of Israel and Palestine in the Koran on Sunday. It has since "taken action" against the person behind the post, an embassy spokesperson said, in response to media queries.

"The Israel embassy respects religion and racial harmony in Singapore," the spokesperson said, adding that the social media post was "done without the necessary approvals".

The post had stated Israel was "mentioned 43 times in the Koran" while "Palestine is not mentioned even once". It was deleted on the same day, following an order from the Singapore government.

"The writer of the post should look at UN resolutions, see if Israel's actions in the past few decades have been consistent with international law, before trying to rewrite history," Singapore's Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said in a statement to local media on Monday.

He also described the post as an "astonishing attempt to rewrite history". He stressed that the government stepped in because the matter might sow discord between the different communities in Singapore.

"The post is wrong at many levels," Shanmugam said. "First, it is insensitive and inappropriate. It carries the risk of undermining our safety, security and harmony in Singapore."

Posts of this sort could also "inflame tensions and can put the Jewish community here at risk", he warned.

There are about 2,500 Jews among a total population of 5.7 million in the multicultural city state, according to media reports. Ethnic Chinese make up about 74 per cent of the population, while Malays and Indians comprise some 13 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.

"It is wrong to selectively point to religious texts to make a political point," Shanmugam also said, noting embassies might put out statements representing their sovereign countries but local authorities would intervene if these risked the "safety and security" of those in Singapore.

Other officials were also quick to chime in on the matter. In a separate address to the media, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said: "Please be careful how, and what you say, and bear in mind the fact that we are in Singapore."

Minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs Masagos Zulkifli on Facebook called the post "insensitive and disrespectful" on Monday.

Political observers told This Week in Asia that the Israeli embassy's social media post reflected "little regard for domestic sensitivities".

"It is unfortunate that the Israeli embassy had allowed the publication of the social media post which reflects little regard for domestic sensitivities. It should have recognised that the post would be provocative," Tan from SMU said.

Zulkifli Baharudin, a former nominated member of parliament, said: "This is a multiracial society and the feelings of a significant section of our society are important and must be guarded and protected. This is the sacred duty of all political leaders."

Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst with Solaris Strategies Singapore, said it was "unwise and ludicrous for the Israeli embassy to infuriate its staunchest supporter in Southeast Asia, worse still with what is going on in Gaza".

"The government wanted to make it clear that it does understand that the embassies have sovereign autonomy and therefore will only intervene if a social media post has a polarising effect on its domestic social cohesion and societal harmony, and as such, on its national security," he said.

"It was important to make this distinction as Singapore values its diplomatic interactions with many countries around the world in its comprehensive foreign policy."

Having several ministers speak on the issue to condemn the social media post also reflects the sensitivity of the Israel-Gaza war in Singapore, according to analysts.

"It demonstrates the heightened sensitivity of the Israel-Hamas conflict within Singapore. The move by at least two ministers seeks to underscore the long-standing position that religion and politics must be kept separate as is reasonably possible," Tan said.

Baharudin added: "This is a sensitive issue especially for Malay-Muslims in Singapore, many of whom wish to see the Singapore government take a more assertive stand against Israel on Gaza. The response of various ministers reflects this sensitivity."

Singapore's government has had to strike a balance between allowing citizens to exchange views on the war and maintaining the city state's carefully managed social cohesion.

Some residents had posted calls on social media to boycott last month's Singapore Airshow, with critics arguing that the display of Israeli weapons was a sign Singapore was leaning to one side.

After 54 years of diplomatic ties, Singapore presented its first-ever resident ambassador to Israel to President Isaac Herzog last December. The city state has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an office in Ramallah to coordinate assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

Observers have noted, however, that Singapore's political elite have in recent months become more vocal about Israel's actions, voicing sympathy for the plight of Palestinians and pushing for a ceasefire.

Louder calls from segments of society had also prompted a subtle shift in the government's tone, analysts earlier told This Week in Asia.

Balakrishnan last week travelled to the Middle East to hold talks with Israel and Palestinian officials, calling for more humanitarian aid. On Monday, he maintained that ties to Israel were essential for the delivery of aid, even if Singapore disagreed with its actions in Gaza.

This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.