Singapore intervened to have the Israeli embassy delete a social media post regarding Palestinians, deeming it "insensitive" and warning of potential tensions it could provoke, according to the interior minister on Monday.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, coupled with the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza following militant attacks starting October 7, has sparked global division of opinions.
Reportedly, the post in question highlighted the number of times Israel is mentioned in the Koran compared to Palestine, drawing criticism for its insensitivity.
Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam expressed his disapproval of the post and promptly requested Singapore's foreign ministry to instruct the Israeli embassy to remove it, which was promptly complied with.
Shanmugam emphasized the inappropriateness of the post, citing concerns about its potential to undermine safety, security, and harmony in Singapore.
The removal of the post was confirmed by Shanmugam, who also cautioned against the inflammatory nature of such posts, expressing concerns for the safety of the Jewish community in Singapore.
While Singapore has condemned militant attacks on Israel, it has also criticized Israel's military response, stating that it has escalated beyond acceptable limits.
The controversial post surfaced amid heightened tensions between Israel and militants, initiated by militant attacks resulting in significant casualties in Israel. Israel has pledged to eliminate Hamas responsible for the attacks.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, the death toll from the conflict has reached a staggering number of over 30,000, with the majority being women and children.