SINGAPORE – Singapore is prepared in principle to recognise the state of Palestine, and the key consideration is that such a move should help foster progress towards peace and a negotiated two-state solution.

Singapore envoy Kevin Cheok, in a statement delivered at a high-level UN conference in New York on July 29, said the Republic is also considering the deployment of a medical team to the region to help treat patients from Gaza.

In the longer term, Singapore is prepared to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza – once a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached, he added.

Mr Cheok said: “Singapore has consistently supported the right of the Palestinians to their own homeland based on a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

“We firmly believe that this is the only viable pathway to achieving a comprehensive, just, and durable solution to this longstanding conflict.”

Singapore also supports the Arab Reconstruction Plan and its vision for rebuilding in Gaza as proposed by Egypt, he added.

Egypt’s Reconstruction Plan for Gaza is a 112-page document that includes maps of how its land would be redeveloped and features images of housing developments, gardens and community centres generated by artificial intelligence.

The three-day United Nations conference, which ends on July 30, on implementing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.

Representatives from about 125 countries came together to work on a declaration that would outline steps towards implementing a two-state solution between the warring parties.

The declaration will also call on Israel to commit to a sovereign and viable Palestinian state. The US and Israel have boycotted the conference.

Mr Cheok, who is the Foreign Ministry’s deputy secretary for Asia-Pacific, reiterated Singapore’s position on the need for a negotiated two-state solution, and said there must be an effective Palestinian government in place that also categorically renounces terrorism and accepts Israel’s right to exist.

In that regard, the Republic welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ letter on June 9, he added.

The letter reiterated the Palestinian Authority’s continued rejection of violence and terrorism, its longstanding recognition of Israel’s right to exist and its commitment to the implementation of its reform agenda.

Singapore hopes these commitments can be implemented fully, he said.

Mr Cheok also said Singapore is again calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is also urging Israel to lift restrictions on delivering humanitarian aid to the region.

The UN and humanitarian non-governmental organisations must also be allowed to resume their humanitarian mission unimpeded.

Hamas must also release all remaining hostages immediately and unconditionally, he added.

Mr Cheok said: “What we are witnessing in Gaza today is heartbreaking. The denial of humanitarian aid is causing starvation and a dire lack of essential medical services.

“The reports of people being shot while desperately trying to access food are shocking. This is unconscionable and a violation of international humanitarian law.”

The country, he added, has contributed over US$17 million (S$21.8 million) in monetary and in-kind assistance, so far.

It has also worked with regional partners and organisations like the UN Children Fund and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees to help alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza.

Through a US$7 million enhanced technical assistance package, Singapore has also lent support to Palestinian leaders in efforts to build capacity, such as by increasing the number of scholarships for Palestinians to study in Singapore universities, said Mr Cheok.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on July 11 said

in preparing the Palestinian people for eventual statehood.

Under the first initiative, Singapore will collaborate with Japan’s International Cooperation Agency to train the Palestinian Civil Police Force in community policing.

As for the second initiative, the Republic will organise a programme for young and emerging Palestinian leaders to share its experience in governance and public administration.

Singapore’s statement at the UN conference comes after French President Emmanuel Macron on July 24 said

.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer followed suit on July 29 when

, unless Israel takes substantive steps to allow more aid to enter Gaza and meets other conditions.

The moves by the two leaders came after a joint statement issued by a group of 28 countries on July 21 that demanded an immediate end to the war in Gaza and for Israel to lift aid restrictions.

The World Health Organisation

due to the “deliberate blocking” of aid.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 60,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The Gaza conflict began after Israel retaliated against Hamas’ Oct 7, 2023, attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people.

Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas, 50 are still being held in Gaza.