https://mothership.sg/2025/11/church-against-friends-of-israel-gala-cancellation-shanmugam/

Shanmugam highlighted: "I have said, when one side seeks to apply pressure, the opposite camp will inevitably react. And remember, if that happens, it is the largest and best organised groups that will win and minorities will suffer."

S'pore church against cancelling 'Friends of Israel' gala dinner at Fullerton Hotel advised not to speak out: Shanmugam

"That would then have become a Christian versus Muslim issue."

Ashley Tan

November 06, 2025, 07:20 PM

A church in Singapore had initially wanted to speak out against the cancellation of the "Friends of Israel Annual Aliyah Gala Dinner", that was to be held at Fullerton Hotel on Nov. 18, 2025.

They were then advised against it as it would become a "Christian versus Muslim issue", Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said at a doorstop on Nov. 6.

Shanmugam was at Chesed-El Synagogue for a closed-door engagement session with members of the Jewish community.

During the doorstop, he also touched on some unpleasant incidents and hostility that Jews here had faced, such as being shouted at with "Free Palestine".

Church "felt very strongly about it"

Shanmugam also responded to a question from the media on his thoughts on the "Friends of Israel" gala dinner organised by Keren Hayesod, an Israel-based, government-linked fundraising organisation.

The Fullerton Hotel came under fire online for hosting the event, which netizens viewed as an endorsement of of Israel's actions in Gaza.

The hotel later confirmed that the event would not be held on their premises, and that it is "not a sponsor, organiser, or partner" of the dinner.

Shanmugam revealed that a church had wanted to come out against the cancellation of the dinner, and "they felt very strongly about it".

"But you know, if they went ahead and said that, and if that got support among the Christian community, that would then have become a Christian versus Muslim issue," he said.

The church was thus advised against coming out and saying anything, and "thankfully, they listened to our advice," Shanmugam added.

"If they did not, and if they managed to persuade a larger group of Christians, then you can see how the situation could have looked. So I say to everyone, have a care."

Conditions for fundraising

Shanmugam reiterated that he understands the sentiments surrounding the dinner.

"If money is channelled towards Jewish resettlement in the occupied Palestinian territories, you can understand that people will feel very unhappy about that," he said.

He maintained that Singapore's position is that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, and the government does not want funds from Singapore channelled there.

As such, conditions have been imposed on the fundraising — the funds cannot be used for the resettlement of Jews in the occupied Palestinian territories, or to support any military or combat operations there, directly or indirectly.

Top photo from Mothership and The Fullerton Hotel Singapore/Google Maps

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