Three activists in Singapore have been charged for encouraging people to deliver letters to the prime minister urging him to sever ties with Israel. Singapore tightly regulates protests, and public demonstrations supporting causes of other nations are prohibited.
The conflict in Gaza has been a particularly sensitive issue for the small nation, which has a significant Muslim population and maintains close ties with Israel. Authorities have advised against staging protests on the matter, instead suggesting participation in dialogues and donation efforts.
Despite this, there has been widespread concern about the conflict, especially among younger Singaporeans who have voiced their opinions online and sought ways to be heard. In February, the activists led approximately 70 individuals on a march from a popular mall on Orchard Road, Singapore’s main shopping street, to the nearby presidential compound.
Photos shared on social media depicted participants carrying umbrellas resembling watermelons, which share colours with the Palestinian flag and have become a symbol of solidarity. The group halted at the compound gates, which also house the prime minister’s office, and presented 140 letters to the staff.
Authorities allege that the activists, Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar organised the event without obtaining a permit. The women have not yet indicated whether they will plead guilty. All public demonstrations in Singapore require police permits, and authorities have stated they will not grant permits for assemblies advocating foreign causes or entities.
The three women face potential fines of up to S$10,000 (£5,800, $7,300) or imprisonment for up to six months. Upon their release on bail, they appeared defiant in their attire. Ms Amirah wore a shawl resembling the keffiyeh, a traditional Arab headdress symbolising Palestinian activism, while Ms Annamalai sported a T-shirt bearing the words “Justice Now!”.
The Transformative Justice Collective, co-founded by Ms Annamalai, described the charges as “part of the ongoing intimidation of peaceful support for Palestinian lives in Singapore”. Police also issued a statement urging Singaporeans “not to engage in activities that threaten peace, public order, and social harmony” or to “violate the law to express their views, or imitate protesters in other countries”.
Singapore and Israel have a longstanding defence partnership, including arms trade. Israel supported Singapore’s military development in its early years of independence, and the two nations collaborate in industrial research, education, and business. However, Singapore has also expressed support for Palestinians and the two-state solution, voting in favour of recent UN resolutions urging Israel and Hamas to cease hostilities, as well as previous resolutions opposing Israel’s illegal settlements.
Since the Gaza conflict erupted, the government has maintained a neutral stance while stressing it will not tolerate actions that could provoke social tensions. In March, the Singapore government instructed the Israeli embassy to remove a Facebook post comparing mentions of Israel and the Palestinian territories in the Quran.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam criticised the post as “insensitive and inappropriate”, warning it could “inflame tensions” and endanger Singapore’s Jewish community.
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