Singapore’s internal situation must not be impacted by the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the nation must uphold its racial and religious harmony, according to Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam on Thursday( Oct 12 ). & nbsp,
At least 1, 200 people, mostly civilians, were killed when the militant group Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel on October 7. Lots of gunmen stormed through towns and across the barrier border. & nbsp,
Israel has completely surrounded Gaza and has so far killed 1,200 people in a bomb strategy that has decimated whole neighborhoods.
Mr. Shanmugam stated that there will be” a very severe reaction” as & nbsp, and that Israel will react with its” full might” when speaking to journalists about the conflict. & nbsp,
He continued, noting that different nations have also made this point,” Israel’s answer should be consistent with international laws and international rules of war.” & nbsp,
We denounce all acts of terrorism and heinous murder. However, he cautioned that we must not allow these external events to have an impact on Singapore’s inside situation. & nbsp,
” In Singapore, we must uphold our racial and religious harmony. We need to exercise caution. Criminal organizations will attempt to take advantage of such problems.
There have been reviews of anti-Semitic attacks abroad, he continued, and these organizations have already issued calling for followers to” meet in a wider warfare against Israel.” & nbsp,
” Over the years, our placement has been made very obvious. According to Mr. Shanmugam, Singapore recently detained two people who” fell for the pro-Hamas narrative” under the Internal Security Act, one in March 2021 and the other in November 2022.” We act against anyone who promotes or espouses extremism and violence ,” he continued. & nbsp,
The single detained in March 2021 also had plans to attack Jews with knives at a church in Singapore. Both of them desired to travel to Gaza to combat alongside Hamas. & nbsp,
According to the curate, there have also been detained people who wanted to attack Muslims in Singapore. & nbsp,
For instance, a child who had been influenced by the Christchurch invasion planned to attack Muslims with knives in two mosque in Singapore in December 2020. & nbsp,
He said,” So far, we have been able to prevent global events like these from destabilizing us within Singapore.”
” This is going to be a very difficult time. But we are unable to alter our core mindset. We must not allow outside events to have an impact on the beautiful peace that exists within Singapore because we are all Singaporeans.
Guards STEPPED UP
Mr. Shanmugam added that he was unable to discuss the precise plans for functional reasons and that security agencies in Singapore are closely monitoring the situation. & nbsp,
He added that further steps have been taken and that patrols may be increased at some events and locations. & nbsp,
Emergency personnel are constantly on the lookout for situations, locations that could be targets have had their surveillance assessed, and protection is being increased for those who are more at risk, he said.
Mr. Shanmugam responded that Singapore is in a” very fine position” in terms of its own spiritual harmony and understanding when asked how the situation in Israel might affect the country’s racial and religious peace. & nbsp,
He continued,” Catholic and cultural groups have a great deal of respect and trust for one another, and Singaporeans greatly value the richness and harmony of these groups.” & nbsp,
According to a Pew study from 2022, the majority of Taiwanese adults who identify as religious are” quite tolerant” of other viewpoints. & nbsp,
Most people, for instance, claim that many different religions may be true. and 60 % of respondents claimed to have a specific connection to religions other than their own. The Home Affairs and Law Minister remarked that it is not everything you find in many other nations. & nbsp,
He continued,” What we have created over the years and what we now have is priceless and incredibly amazing, and we must do our best to protect it.”