On 25 November 2024, a petition led by research and advocacy platform Lepak Conversations garnered over 10,000 signatures asking Singapore to expedite its recognition of the State of Palestine. This follows the Singapore government’s 2 July announcement, stating that it is prepared in principle to recognise the State of Palestine at an appropriate time, as part of the wider goal of advancing peace in the Middle East.
“We believe that this decision would reaffirm Singapore’s commitment to international law, justice, and peace,” reads the petition. “This position reflects Singapore’s thoughtful approach to diplomacy and signals a readiness to support the global efforts toward a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
In an interview about the petition by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Associate Professor Walid Jumblatt Abdullah on his political talkshow Teh Tarik with Walid, he says, “10,000 [signatures] is an important [number], because 10,000 is not a small number in a country like Singapore. For 10,000 people to be interested in something political — and there are many more who are interested but didn’t sign as well — that number I think is an underestimate of actual sentiment.”
The public petition was started after a letter with the same content, signed by 64 organisations and community leaders, was submitted to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on 8 October, and was met with no reply. Notable signatories of the letter include founding chair of the Singapore chapter of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Dr Kanwaljit Soin, veteran actors Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin, former NMP Anthea Ong, former President of Singapore Law Society Chandra Mohan Nair, and former PAP MP Zainal Sapari.
“[Calling for the expeditious recognition of the Palestinian State] is one of the things we can do to show support for the Palestinians. This is a reasonable request, especially since Dr Balakrishnan said that it’s a matter of time [for Singapore to recognise the State of Palestine]. If it’s a matter of time, then we want it to be hastened,” Professor Walid, also a signatory of the letter, said in an interview with the Plan B podcast. “Support for Palestine is increasing. The ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute did a survey of academics, government officials, and civil society. They found that 47% of Singaporeans felt that Israel had gone too far. I think that’s significant. That wouldn’t have happened prior to 7 October 2023. So if the government recognises the State of Palestine, it’s not out of order and not out of line with what they have said so far.”
Photo: The Live Gaza Monologues organised by Lepak Conversations in March 2024, an event supported by government agency REACH and attended by over 300 Singaporeans.
“More than a year on from 7 October, we are distraught to see no end to the violence and destruction in Gaza, and worse, the escalation in Lebanon and neighbouring countries,” Lepak Conversations’ founder Yulianna Frederika says. “Singapore has consistently supported the two-state solution. Recognising Palestine at this critical juncture would substantiate our contribution to the peace process and strengthen our reputation as a principled advocate for a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
When asked why she signed the letter, former NMP Anthea Ong says, “We have thrived as a people because our statehood was not denied of us in the last 59 years. I wish the same for the Palestinian people sooner rather than later.”