https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/recent-anti-semitic-incidents-in-spore-worrying-such-acts-will-not-be-tolerated-shanmugam
Recent anti-Semitic incidents in S’pore worrying, such acts will not be tolerated: Shanmugam
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Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam speaks at the Chesed-El Synagogue, on Nov 6.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Follow topic:
- Singapore has seen several anti-Semitic incidents, including vandalism in schools and verbal abuse towards Jewish individuals, prompting concern from the Government.
- The Government will not tolerate anti-Semitism and will protect all communities from discrimination, harassment, and violence, ensuring everyone feels safe and respected.
- An Israel-linked group's fundraising gala dinner was allowed with conditions: funds cannot support resettlement in occupied territories or military operations.
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SINGAPORE - There have been several incidents of anti-Semitism in Singapore, which is a worrying development, said Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam.
On Nov 6, Mr Shanmugam said in September, some toilets in international schools with Jewish students were vandalised with anti-Israel vulgarities.
In October, a Jewish man wearing a skullcap on his way to the synagogue at Waterloo Street heard a passing motorist shout “Free Palestine” at him.
These incidents come in the wake of global tensions due to the Israel-Palestine conflict since October 2023.
Mr Shanmugam was speaking on the sidelines of a closed-door engagement session with members of the Jewish community at the Chesed-El Synagogue, along Oxley Rise.
It celebrated its 120th anniversary on Nov 6 with a gathering of more than 200 people, including members of the Inter-Religious Organisation and guest-of-honour Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash.
Mr Shanmugam said acts of anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in Singapore.
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He said: “Here in Singapore, our laws and norms reflect a very simple principle: everyone, regardless of race and religion, must be treated fairly. They must be allowed to practise their religion freely.
“They must be protected from discrimination, harassment and violence. And all Singaporeans and all communities in Singapore, whatever our feelings towards Palestine or Israel, must feel safe and respected here.”
He said he was there to hear from the Jewish community about the unpleasant incidents they faced both online and offline, and noted that they now feel less secure.
Mr Shanmugam said the negative experiences have also affected other Singaporeans.
He said: “(In) late October, a Singaporean Chinese man wearing a cap with a patch resembling the Israeli flag was assaulted by a Malay man.”
He added the police were investigating the incident.
He also said a Catholic woman reported through a Government feedback channel that a couple had condemned her in the name of God for not doing anything for Palestinians.
Mr Shanmugam added: “Late last year, there were a series of incidents involving graffiti in public toilets which said ‘Melayu Sokong Hamas’ (which) translated (means), ‘Malays support Hamas’.”
The minister said the police were also investigating these graffiti incidents.
Mr Shanmugam also commented on an upcoming gala dinner in November organised by an Israel-linked group, the “Friends of Israel Annual Aliyah Gala Dinner”, which sparked online backlash.
A post about the gala dinner previously listed The Fullerton Hotel as its host, but the hotel later said it would not be hosting the event.
Mr Shanmugam said the fundraising can go ahead, but conditions have been imposed.
The funds raised cannot be used for the resettlement of Jews in the occupied Palestinian territories, or to support any military or combat operations in any way, directly or indirectly.
Mr Shanmugam said these conditions are aligned with
Singapore’s long-standing position on Jewish resettlement in the occupied Palestinian territories.
He said: “In the online sphere, there are even calls for the food to be served at the dinner to be poisoned. Others suggested inviting a Palestinian terrorist group or having the event in front of an incinerator, which appears to be alluding to the Holocaust. These sorts of things are unacceptable.”
He added there was a church who wanted to speak out against the cancellation of the gala dinner as they felt strongly about it. But the Government advised them against doing so.
Mr Shanmugam said: “If they went ahead and said that, and if that got broad support among the Christian community, that would then have become a Christian versus Muslim issue.”
Mr Shanmugam’s comments come after recent reports of rising anti-Semitism and attacks against the Jewish community in other countries.
noted that across Britain, the number of reported anti-Semitic acts in 2024 was the second highest in recent times.On Oct 2, a man drove his car into pedestrians outside a synagogue in Manchester, Britain, and attacked worshippers with a knife.
Three men, including the attacker, died.
Mr Shanmugam said the situation was under control in Singapore, but noted past incidents, such as in 2021, when a
Singaporean Muslim man was detained as he wanted to attack Jews
outside the Waterloo Street synagogue.Singapore’s Internal Security Department (ISD)
said in its annual report on terrorism
on July 29 that the terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.14-year-old boy who supported a “salad bar” of ideologies
, including a strong hatred for Jews, was issued a restriction order under the Internal Security Act.Mr Shanmugam said places of worship cannot be made into fortresses and are to be freely accessible.
He said: “But at the same time, Singaporeans of all faiths should be able to go about their lives feeling safe and secure. That’s really part of the cohesive and harmonious society that has taken us decades to build.”
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