Collusion with Tel Aviv while claiming neutrality; Singapore has two faces/ A narrative of dealing with critics of Israel

Pars Today - An Indonesian researcher has criticized the Singaporean government's policies towards Palestine.

Singapore has previously tried to pass legislation to further restrict university protests, such as demonstrations in support of the people of Gaza. Pro-Palestinian groups in Singapore have called the law worrisome, saying it could be used against activists and freedom fighters.

According to Pars Today, "Muhammad Zulfiqar Rahmat," a researcher of West Asian affairs and a supporter of Palestine, criticized the Singaporean government's policy towards Palestine in an article in " the Middle East Monitor." He wrote: Singapore officially supports the two-state solution, but it has close military and economic ties with Israel.

"Rahmat" emphasized that this country is one of the major buyers of Israeli weapons, and its public sphere is heavily controlled. According to this Indonesian researcher, in Singapore, any explicit criticism of Israel or public support for the Palestinian rights, even for foreign researchers, can lead to interrogation and restrictions.

Singapore; suppressor of freedom of expression regarding Palestine

This writer, who is now a university professor in South Korea, dedicated another part of his article to his personal experience in Singapore regarding the suppression of support for Palestine:

He wrote: "In 2023, something happened to me that I never expected in a country like Singapore. Not once, but twice, I was detained and interrogated at Changi Airport, simply for the crime of being a researcher and journalist who writes about developments in West Asia, especially the issue of Palestine. While in transit in Singapore, I was stopped by the country's security officers. They checked my passport and took me to a separate room. Three officers, who introduced themselves as representatives of Singapore's national security, asked lengthy questions about my background in West Asia, my articles, and the reason for my focus on the issue of Palestine. They even searched my mobile phone."

He said: "After hours of questioning, I was released, but with a warning not to write anything about this incident. Seven months later, in September 2023, the same scenario repeated itself. This time too, while in transit in Singapore, I was interrogated again. Although shorter, it had the same focus, namely my writings about Palestine."

Silence in the face of Zionist crimes against the people of Gaza is equivalent to complicity

"Muhammad Zulfiqar Rahmat" continued in his article: "I avoid transit flights in Singapore and decline academic invitations to this country. However, I do not consider silence in the face of such pressures to be acceptable. If Singapore wants to be respected as an international hub, it cannot punish global citizens for writing about Palestine."

Palestine is not a taboo

The Indonesian researcher and journalist emphasized: Palestine is not a taboo, and writing about it should not be a crime. He warned about the broader consequences of confronting and censoring pro- Palestinian voices worldwide and emphasized standing vigilant against this suppression.

AE/UR