Fullerton Hotel withdraws from Israel-linked gala after public backlash over Gaza conflict

A planned fundraising gala by Israeli-linked organisation Keren Hayesod will no longer be held at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, following mounting public criticism and online calls for the venue to withdraw from the event.

The Friends of Israel Annual Aliyah Gala Dinner was initially scheduled for 18 November, 2025. However, the hotel confirmed on 14 October that it would not be the event’s host.

“We wish to clarify that The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is not a sponsor, organiser, or partner of the upcoming Friends of Israel Annual Aliyah Gala Dinner,” the hotel stated to the Mothership. 

“We do not endorse, support, or take a position on the views or objectives of independent organisers or their guests.”

It added that its priority remains to “maintain a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for all guests, partners, and members of the public.”

The withdrawal came after details of the event circulated online, prompting accusations that Fullerton was indirectly endorsing Israel’s conduct in Gaza by hosting the dinner.

Keren Hayesod, the Jerusalem-based organiser of the gala, is affiliated with the Israeli government and has held previous events in Singapore since 2010. Its fundraising work supports immigration to Israel and related causes.

This year’s event drew heightened scrutiny due to the ongoing war in Gaza, which as of October 2025, has resulted in more than 67,800 Palestinian deaths—most of them women and children—according to international reports. A United Nations commission has concluded that Israel has committed acts of genocide.

Initially, the event’s registration page listed The Fullerton Hotel as the venue and required payments via a Singapore-based mobile banking app.

On 13 October, the venue was quietly removed from the site, although the date and time remained unchanged. By 14 October, Fullerton had publicly confirmed its disassociation from the event.

Social media users criticised the hotel for appearing to “normalise” or “endorse” a government under international legal scrutiny.

One Instagram user wrote, “To hold such a celebratory event, particularly amid the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza, widely recognised as a genocide perpetrated by Israel, is both tone-deaf and morally indefensible.”

Many took to the hotel’s social media pages to urge it to withdraw from the event and left critical comments in reviews. These comments have since been removed.

The hotel’s withdrawal was welcomed by some, with several online posts claiming the decision upheld “Singapore’s values of peace and justice.” However, not all reactions were positive.

In contrast, some public figures criticised Fullerton’s decision to cancel the venue. Former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng—previously embroiled in controversy over comments about sponsoring activists to Gaza—described the move as “weak and stupid,” arguing that wealthy clients, not younger, critical voices, were the hotel’s main customer base.

“Hotel venues are morally neutral,” Cheng wrote on social media. “They shouldn’t have to adjudicate moral or political opinions.” He added that he would assist the organisers in securing an alternative location.

The event has since been relocated to the Jewish Community Centre in Hong Kong, and is scheduled to take place on 19 November.

The broader public debate over the gala dinner comes amid increasing civic engagement in Singapore concerning the Gaza conflict.

Recent incidents include a student-led memorial at the National University of Singapore in January 2024, which displayed 124 pairs of shoes and a white shroud to symbolise lives lost in Gaza.

On 2 February, around 70 individuals took part in a pro-Palestinian procession toward the Istana. Three women are currently being charged for allegedly organising the procession, which the police said was unauthorised. A separate private gathering where chants such as “From the river to the sea” were livestreamed is also under investigation.

Authorities have cited potential breaches of the Public Order Act and have reiterated Singapore’s position against unauthorised public demonstrations, especially those concerning foreign political causes.

In October 2023, the government imposed a ban on all public events related to the Gaza war, including at Hong Lim Park. The Ministry of Home Affairs also issued an advisory discouraging the display of symbols linked to either Israeli or Palestinian entities, citing risks to public order.

Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has reaffirmed the city-state’s longstanding position in support of a two-state solution.

Speaking in parliament on 22 September and again on 15 October, he stated that while Singapore does not currently recognise the State of Palestine, that position could be reassessed if Israel continues to obstruct a two-state resolution or if the humanitarian crisis worsens further.

“We will recognise the State of Palestine when it has an effective government that accepts Israel’s right to exist and categorically renounces terrorism,” Balakrishnan said.

Singapore and Israel established diplomatic ties in 1969, with Israel playing a significant role in building Singapore’s early defence capabilities. The two nations continue to maintain trade and security relations.

However, recent events and growing public sentiment have brought renewed scrutiny to this bilateral relationship. Experts note that the Singaporean government faces a delicate balancing act—preserving strategic partnerships while responding to increasing domestic calls for a firmer moral stance on the conflict.