Latest news with #humanitarianlaw
CNA
4 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
Commentary: Why Singapore PM Wong's recent comments on Israel actions in Gaza are significant
SINGAPORE: Last week, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that Israel's restriction of aid into Gaza may be a ' likely breach of international humanitarian law ' that 'cannot be justified'. The comments were the strongest so far by Singapore's leadership since the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct 7, 2023, and Israel's response. Beyond the language, the fact that Mr Wong made those comments at a joint press conference with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron was significant: Of late, Mr Macron had himself emphasised that Europe should 'harden its collective position' on Israel, including affording official recognition for a Palestinian state. This has come on the back of steps taken by the United Kingdom and Canada to denounce Israel's latest military offensive in Gaza, including the threat of 'concrete actions'. Perhaps what has raised eyebrows the most was German Chancellor Friedrich Merz 's recent comment that he could 'no longer understand' what goal Israel was aiming to achieve with its latest Gaza offensive. It was a clear break from Germany's longstanding 'reason of state' – a special responsibility for Israel on account of the horrors perpetrated against European Jews by the Nazis. These actions point to a growing consensus internationally – even in the West – that Israel should not be given carte blanche in Gaza. But where do statements end, and actions begin? HAS SINGAPORE'S POSITION SHIFTED? Following Mr Wong's remarks, Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said he agreed with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who wrote in the newspaper Haaretz that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza. Prof Faishal took pains to note Israel's contributions to 'Singapore in our early years', but said he thought it was time 'to be frank'. But while the Singapore leaders' remarks received much attention, they should not be seen as a shift in our position. Just four months after Israel began retaliating for Hamas' attacks, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told Parliament during the Committee of Supply debates on Feb 29, 2024 that its ' military response has gone too far '. This followed his speech in November 2023, which outlined the three principles of Singapore's position: zero tolerance towards terrorism; the right of self-defence dictated by international law; and that necessity and proportionality should be accounted for if military action is required for self-defence. Put simply, Singapore's position that Israel was using disproportionate force was arrived at quickly. What is less talked about is Singapore's longstanding support for Palestinian aspirations, including its voting record in the United Nations on the issue, and its constant backing for a two-state solution. After the Gaza war began, the government and people have backed their support with actions: The Republic of Singapore Air Force has delivered seven tranches of humanitarian aid to Gaza, totalling over S$19 million, including via air drop operations. The Singapore Armed Forces, together with the Ministry of Health, deployed a medical contingent in April to treat Palestinians in Egypt. When compared to the likes of China, whose aid delivery so far amounted to US$2.75 million – broken down into six shipments of food parcels – Singapore has again punched above its weight in the international arena. AN INCREASINGLY ISOLATED ISRAEL INTERNATIONALLY What is also significant about Mr Wong's remark is that it mirrors the increasing daylight between support for Israel and for the Netanyahu government, around the world, particularly in the West. What began with robust Spanish support for the Palestinians grew into recognition (alongside Ireland and Norway) of a Palestinian state in May 2024, and has now broadened into criticism of Israeli conduct among Israel's closest European friends. The European Union has even moved to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement – the basis for trade relations. Trouble for Israel is brewing across the Atlantic, too. United States President Donald Trump's has reportedly expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, owing to a divide between the former's desire to see an end to the war and the latter's defiance. Mr Trump has blindsided Mr Netanyahu on several other occasions thus far, including negotiating a new nuclear deal with Iran, and brokering direct agreements with Hamas and the Houthis that left Israel sidelined and vulnerable. The US president's high-profile trip to the Middle East just two weeks ago omitted Israel, which spoke volumes – and that is before one accounts for his decision to lift sanctions on Syria. To rub salt in the wound, Vice President JD Vance scrapped a planned visit to Israel, too, reportedly over concerns that such a trip would validate its renewed offensive into Gaza. It must be said, however, that the current wave of criticism remains just that. Whether the US, Europe, or others will apply more than vocal and symbolic pressure on Israel in order to change the situation on the ground remains to be seen. INTRANSIGENCE LEADS TO IMMOBILITY Nevertheless, prospects for ending the war remain bleak for one reason: Neither side in Gaza has come down from their hardline positions. For every move made by Israel that prolongs the conflict, Hamas has one of its own. It recently torpedoed a US-backed ceasefire proposal with additional demands. As US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said, the Hamas response 'only takes us backward', when the original intention was build momentum with 'substantive negotiations in good faith to try to reach a permanent ceasefire'. If external pressure is not working, perhaps domestic concerns will force a rethink, as discontent continues to percolate. In Israel, public letters by reservists denouncing the continuation of war and poll findings that indicate a lack of trust (at 70 per cent) in the government, point to Mr Netanyahu's precarious position. The latest survey conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals that 53 per cent of Israelis view the prime minister unfavourably. Likewise, in Gaza, support for Hamas has dwindled. Findings released by the Palestinian Center for Policy Survey Research show a significant drop in Gazan support for Hamas, from 64 per cent in June 2024 to 39 per cent in September 2024. In March this year, Palestinians also took to the streets in the Strip to demonstrate against Hamas, with chants of 'we want an end to the war'. This should make both sides realise that an off-ramp is needed quickly. If this is to happen sooner rather than later, consistent messages from Israel's friends – like the ones from Singapore – rather than hopping between unconditional support and shrill warnings, will be key.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
US, UN, UAE urge Sudan to respect humanitarian law after aid workers killed
The United States, United Arab Emirates and other key players on Wednesday urged Sudan's warring sides to respect humanitarian law after five aid workers were killed in besieged al-Fasher. A joint statement — also including the United Nations, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the African Union and Switzerland — said the group 'urgently reiterates that international humanitarian law must be fully respected.' 'Attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, including humanitarian personnel and assets, are serious violations of international humanitarian law,' said the statement issued by the US State Department. UN Secretary-General António Guterres had on Tuesday urged a probe into the attack on the convoy organized by the World Food Programme and UNICEF. The UN agencies did not specify who was behind the assault, which took place in an area controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been at war with the regular army since April 2023. More than four million people have died in the war.
Khaleej Times
28-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Pope Leo appeals for Gaza ceasefire, laments deaths of children
Pope Leo appealed on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza and called on Israel and Hamas militants to completely respect international humanitarian law. "In the Gaza Strip, the intense cries are reaching Heaven more and more from mothers and fathers who hold tightly to the bodies of their dead children," the pontiff said during his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square. "To those responsible, I renew my appeal: stop the fighting," said the pope. "Liberate all the hostages. Completely respect humanitarian law." Leo, elected on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis, also appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine. The pope decried new attacks against civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine in the days since Russia launched the biggest aerial attack of the three-year offensive. "I renew with vigour my appeal to stop the war and to support every initiative of dialogue and peace," said Leo. The pope's two appeals, made in Italian, came at the end of his audience, when he added some brief comments to his prepared text. Thousands of Palestinians rushed to an aid distribution site in Gaza on Tuesday, after an 11-week Israeli blockade of the war-devastated enclave. Israel imposed the blockade on aid supplies in March, accusing Hamas of seizing supplies meant for civilians, a charge Hamas denies. Francis, who died on April 21, had been ramping up criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza in the months before his death. Leo, who celebrates three weeks as pope on Thursday, has now mentioned the conflict several times. In his first general audience held last week, he called on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. On Wednesday, the pope also said parents in the enclave "are continuously forced to search for a bit of food and a place safer from the bombing". Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas-led attack on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023 that killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages abducted into Gaza. Its assault has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians and reduced much of the crowded coastal enclave to rubble.
Arab News
28-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Pope Leo appeals for Gaza ceasefire, laments deaths of children
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo appealed on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza, and called on Israel and Hamas militants to 'completely respect' international humanitarian law.'In the Gaza Strip, the intense cries are reaching Heaven more and more from mothers and fathers who hold tightly to the bodies of their dead children,' the pontiff said during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.'To those responsible, I renew my appeal: stop the fighting,' said the pope. 'Liberate all the hostages. Completely respect humanitarian law.'Leo, elected on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis, also appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine.
Arab News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Amnesty: US strike on Yemen migrant center may constitute humanitarian ‘violation'
DUBAI: Rights group Amnesty International urged the United States on Monday to investigate possible violations of international law in a deadly strike on a migrant detention facility in rebel-held month's attack, which prompted international alarm and was part of the US bombardment campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis, killed 68 people held at a center for irregular migrants in Saada, the rebel authorities said at the Callamard, Amnesty's secretary-general, said that 'the US attacked a well-known detention facility where the Houthis have been detaining migrants.'The dead were all migrants from African countries, the Houthis had Callamard, 'the major loss of civilian life in this attack raises serious concerns about whether the US complied with its obligations under international humanitarian law.''The US must conduct a prompt, independent and transparent investigation into this air strike,' she added.A US defense official had told AFP in the aftermath of the strike that the military launched 'battle-damage assessment and inquiry' into 'claims of civilian casualties related to the US strikes in Yemen.'Amnesty cited people who work with migrants and refugees in Yemen and visited two hospitals that treated the victims, saying that they had seen 'more than two dozen Ethiopian migrants' with severe injuries including morgues at both hospitals had run out of space, the witnesses told mid-March, the United States began an intense, near-daily military campaign against the Houthis after they had renewed threats to attack vessels in the vital Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping campaign ended with a US-Houthi ceasefire agreement earlier this Houthis, who control large swathes of Yemen, began firing on Israel and Israeli-linked shipping in November 2023, weeks into the Gaza war triggered by an attack by the Yemeni rebels' Palestinian ally said it had analyzed satellite imagery and footage from the site of last month's strike on Saada, in Yemen's group said it was 'unable to conclusively identify a legitimate military target' within the targeted prison compound, citing Houthi restrictions on independent investigations.'Any attack that fails to distinguish between civilians and civilian objects on the one hand, and legitimate military targets on the other, even within the same compound, constitutes an indiscriminate attack and a violation of international humanitarian law,' Amnesty said.
