SINGAPORE — Member of Parliament (MP) Vikram Nair has filed a motion for the next parliamentary sitting on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Backed by two fellow People’s Action Party (PAP) MPs, the motion reiterates Singapore’s longstanding commitment to a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict.
It also calls on Singaporeans to safeguard the nation’s multi-religious harmony.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Oct 24), Mr Nair, who is chairperson of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Government Parliamentary Committee, said he and other MPs had got expressions of concern over the “grave” Gaza situation.
On Oct 8, Israel declared war against Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls an area neighbouring Israel known as the Gaza Strip.
This was in response to a highly coordinated attack by Hamas on parts of Israel, which left about 1,400 people dead, mostly civilians. It also took more than 200 hostages.
The latest flare-up in the conflict, which has entered its third week, has left more than 5,000 people dead in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Mr Nair said that his motion, co-sponsored by fellow PAP MPs Alex Yam and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, will be debated at the next sitting.
Called “Solidary, security, and peace: The Israel-Hamas conflict”, Mr Nair’s motion asks the House to:
Express its condolences to all innocent victims and civilian casualtiesAdvocate for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilian populationCondemn those responsible for the terrorist acts and violations of international lawCall for all parties to ensure the safety and security of civilians, including the release of all hostagesReiterate Singapore’s long-standing support for a negotiated two-state solution consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutionsUrge Singaporeans to safeguard and uphold its multi-racial and multi-religious peace harmony amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East
Several PAP MPs have also filed parliamentary questions on the conflict, including Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) MP Nadia Samdin and Mr Zulkharnain, MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC.
Ms Nadia asked what the Government is doing to ensure that humanitarian aid donated by Singapore can effectively and urgently reach civilians affected by the violence in the crisis.
Mr Zhulkarnain asked about the role of religious teachers and mosques play in supporting the local Muslim community spiritually and emotionally, in understanding the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the rest of the Palestinian territories.
TODAY has sought comment from the Workers’ Party and Progress Singapore Party.
The next sitting of Parliament is scheduled for Nov 6.