Peace in Gaza likely to ‘come in phases', says Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim

Straits Times

a day ago

Singapore will continue to do what it can to help, while adding its voice to calls for peace, said Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN
Peace in Gaza likely to 'come in phases', says Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim
SINGAPORE – Peace in Gaza is not something that can be attained all at once, and the dynamic situation there means any peace achieved will also likely not be perfect.
Even so, the international community must continually strive for peace, as reducing the violence in Gaza will save lives, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim on June 4.
Singapore will continue to do what it can to help while adding its voice to calls for peace, Associate Professor Faishal said in his first sit-down interview since being appointed to his new role.
Speaking to reporters at the KopiCuts cafe at Wisma Geylang Serai, Prof Faishal said he understood the feelings and expectations of the Malay/Muslim community here on the issue of Palestine.
It is reasonable that people here feel strongly about innocents being killed or displaced, said Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza after Hamas-led gunmen on Oct 7, 2023, killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Much of the enclave has since been destroyed and more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza health authorities.
Prof Faishal said the Government has held to clear and consistent principles on the issue since the 1960s.
This includes its longstanding support for the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland of their own and the belief that a negotiated two-state solution – consistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions – is the only viable path to achieving a just and durable peace.
Singapore has consistently voted in support of UN General Assembly resolutions that reject Israeli settlements in the West Bank and supports the Palestinian Authority in building capacity for eventual statehood through the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package.
On May 31, Prof Faishal said he agreed with comments made by former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert in an op-ed, stating that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza.
'If we look at what has been outlined by the Singapore Government, our principles are clear: We do not accept terrorism or murder,' he said in Malay.
'When the Israeli side did not allow humanitarian aid to enter (Gaza), we said that was wrong and (its actions) had gone too far.'
Besides not staying silent, the Government has been working with organisations, such as Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation and Humanity Matters, and Singaporeans at large to provide humanitarian aid, and such efforts will continue, he added.
Since the start of the conflict, Singapore and Singaporeans have together contributed seven tranches of humanitarian assistance for Gaza, amounting to more than $19 million.
Even so, providing humanitarian aid to those affected has not been a straightforward task, Prof Faishal said.
'We have come to realise that even though we have the resources to do it, to enter (Gaza) is not easy, and these are complexities that we have to deal with not only in Singapore, but (also) globally,' he said.
On March 2, two weeks before resuming its military offensive, Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid and commercial supplies to Gaza.
'We want peace there, but if we look at the current situation, if it materialises, it will be in phases,' Prof Faishal said.
'This is the reality of life where there are various parties (fighting, but we should) continue efforts to achieve peace.'
Prof Faishal said the Malay/Muslim community has very good values and etiquette that are respected by other communities.
In line with these important values – such as rejecting violence, murder and injustice, and upholding human rights – the community here should support peace and harmony, and not accept violence or killings against anyone anywhere, including non-Muslims, he added.
'Until we reach this stage, our development in ihsan (excellence and spiritual perfection in Arabic) as human beings is incomplete,' Prof Faishal said.
He said he intends to work with asatizah (religious teachers), Malay intellectuals and other segments of the community to cultivate these values.
'(This ensures) we not only progress in terms of education and success but (also) that our hearts and our values as human beings are to also take care of the needs, welfare and safety of others.'
Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues.
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