Singapore is committed to working with global partners to “secure a homeland” for the Palestinian people and help them prepare for “eventual statehood”, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said as he outlined the republic’s stance on the Gaza war in his first podcast since taking office in May.
“One useful way in which we can be helpful is truly in technical assistance. It’s the Singapore way, and we have been always doing that with Southeast Asia, with many other countries too,” Wong said during the 46-minute-long podcast, published on Thursday.
“I think for Palestine and the Palestinian people, it can be very helpful, and we want to help them prepare for their eventual statehood.”
In the interview, organised by online editorial and podcast organisation Plan B, Wong also reiterated support for a two-state solution and highlighted Singapore’s recent efforts to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Since the war broke out in October 2023, Singapore has sent five tranches of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Government and citizen-led efforts have collectively contributed more than US$13 million in cash and donations to relief efforts.
Earlier this month, Dr Maliki Osman, Singapore’s second minister for foreign affairs, met Dr Mohammad Mustafa, the prime minister and foreign minister of Palestine, on the sidelines of a conference in Cairo, Egypt, where he reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to supporting Palestine’s capacity-building efforts.