Today/CNA-Apr 11
Singapore wants to insulate and protect the local Jewish community from the impacts of the war in Gaza, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam on Thursday (April 11). “Our fundamental aim, government’s fundamental duty, is to maintain law and order, protect everyone. That is the first order of business for the government,” he said at a pre-Passover celebration organized by the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) at the Jacob Ballas Centre in Waterloo Street. That was a key reason why the authorities took a strong stance against a social media post by the Israeli Embassy in Singapore last month. The post contained claims comparing mentions of Israel and Palestine in the Quran. “It risks inflaming tensions, can undermine the peace and harmony we enjoy in Singapore, and can also put the Jewish community here at risk, if the anger spills over into the physical realm,” he said. Mr Shanmugam added that Jews have a very long history in Singapore and are a vibrant and valuable part of society.
“The community has played a vital role in building Singapore up through the years, and it continues strongly today,” he said. Mr Shanmugam noted that there has been a rise in Islamophobia and anti-semitism around the world. “In Singapore, we tried hard not to import these tensions, conflicts and arguments, into our own society,” said the minister. We are a multicultural, diverse place in terms of religions, ancestries, ethnicities and backgrounds. And we have felt in Singapore, some impact, with the ongoing war in Gaza. But thankfully, the level of tension and friction is less, compared with other places.” Read more at: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/singapore-wants-protect-local-jewish-community-impacts-gaza-war-shanmugam-2401816
