Shanmugam: No further action taken over Israel Embassy insensitive FB post

SINGAPORE: Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam disclosed that the Ambassador of Israel to Singapore had met with him and formally apologized for the insensitive Facebook post concerning Palestine that the embassy had published in March.

Furthermore, Minister Shanmugam stated that the Israeli embassy personnel who referenced the Quran in a Facebook post regarding Palestine will be sent back away from Singapore.

During his address to Parliament on Wednesday (8 May), Minister Shanmugam conveyed that Ambassador Eliyahu Vered Hazan of Israel had requested a meeting with him.

The Ambassador acknowledged that the post, published on 24 March, was inappropriate.

Minister Shanmugam conveyed that the Ambassador clarified that the post was unauthorized by him and assured that the officer responsible would be repatriated.

“And he said that this will never happen again,” added Mr Shanmugam.

In response to a query posed by PAP Member of Parliament Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim regarding the course of action and the applicability of diplomatic immunity to the individual responsible, Minister Shanmugam elucidated that the police had received a report concerning the post.

After consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, it was determined that no further legal action was warranted.

Mr Shanmugam explained,”The Israeli embassy’s actions are covered by the principle of sovereign immunity.”

As per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, diplomats enjoy immunity from criminal jurisdiction in their host nation, although the diplomat’s home country can waive such immunity.

During his meeting with Ambassador Eliyahu, Minister Shanmugam emphasized that while embassies are entitled to express their viewpoints, considerations must be made when such expressions impact Singapore, particularly its harmony, safety, and the security of its minority communities.

“But where what has been said affects Singapore, in this case the harmony and safety within Singapore, especially the security as well of our minority communities, we have to step in.”

Singapore Government demanded the removal of Israeli Embassy’s Facebook post, citing risks to security and harmony

On 24 March, the official Facebook account of Israel’s embassy in Singapore published a post containing assertions comparing references to Israel and Palestine in the Quran.

The post said: “Israel is mentioned 43 times in the Quran. On the other hand, Palestine is not mentioned even once.

“Each and every archaeological evidence – maps, documents, coins, link the land of Israel to the Jewish people as the indigenous people of the land.”

Later that day, the post was removed. MHA notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which, in turn, conveyed to Israel’s embassy the immediate necessity of taking down the post.

Police receive 43 reports of alleged offences against Jewish and Muslim communities in Singapore from October 2023 to March 2024

During Wednesday’s parliamentary session, Mr Shanmugam provided an update on reports of alleged offensive remarks or actions against the Jewish or Muslim communities in Singapore.

Between 7 October 2023, and 31 March 2024, the police received 43 such reports, he stated, contrasting with the previous update which noted eight reports in October 2023.

Describing the conflict in the Middle East as “emotionally charged,” Mr. Shanmugam emphasized how deeply held sentiments can lead to words or actions that offend other communities, particularly evident in the divide between Singapore’s Malay-Muslim community and the Jewish and Christian communities.

The government, he assured, will intervene against acts that could disrupt social harmony. He also highlighted how overseas protests related to the conflict often escalate into violence, even though initiated with good intentions.

“They may start off well-intentioned, led by honest, idealistic people,” he said.

“Often, there is a group which has legitimate aims, wants to be peaceful.”

“But there are often others who use these events where people gather to then engineer violence and put the police on the defensive, and try and egg the police on to try and engage in forcibly preventing acts of violence, and then it escalates.”

“Our own view is that if we allow protests on this issue, initially it may be peaceful, but over time, as the protests take a life of their own, there could be some violence, breach of the peace and law, occupying of buildings.”

Acknowledging that individuals engaging in offensive or violent behaviour constitute a minority in Singapore, he emphasized the generally measured and rational approach adopted by Singaporeans regarding differing views on the conflict.

He said the government will work to foster mutual trust and understanding across Singapore’s diverse ethnic and religious communities, both at the leadership and people-to-people levels.