S'pore says Israeli settlements in West Bank are illegal, urges halt to expansion plans

Singapore has declared Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal under international law and urged Israel to halt its expansion plans, according to a statement released on August 24. The directive comes after the Israeli government issued a tender on August 18 for the construction of over 1,200 housing units in the E1 area, a project aimed at expanding residential settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The E1 area, located east of occupied East Jerusalem, is home to approximately 3,700 Palestinians, mainly Bedouins spread across 18 villages, as reported by The Straits Times. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson emphasized that the proposed construction would further fragment the West Bank and significantly hinder the prospects of a viable two-State solution. The spokesperson stated, "Singapore urges the Israeli government to halt these settlement expansion plans."

Furthermore, Singapore expressed deep concern over the surge in settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. In response to this issue, the MFA called on Israel to take strong measures to prevent such violence and hold those responsible accountable. The ministry reiterated Singapore's longstanding belief that a two-state solution, reached through negotiation in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, remains the only viable path to lasting peace.

Acting Minister for Muslim Affairs of Singapore, Zaqy Mohamad, also commented on the matter via an Instagram post. He affirmed that Singapore had made its stance clear and described the developments as deeply troubling, as they would diminish the hopes of Palestinians to establish their own homeland.