Singapore ready in principle to recognise State of Palestine, says UN envoy

Singapore has expressed readiness in principle to recognise the State of Palestine, emphasising that such a move must contribute meaningfully to peace and the advancement of a negotiated two-state solution.

Singapore’s representative to the United Nations, Kevin Cheok, conveyed this position at a high-level UN conference on 29 July 2025 in New York.

Cheok, who serves as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ deputy secretary for Asia-Pacific, reaffirmed Singapore’s long-held stance supporting the Palestinians’ right to a homeland based on a negotiated settlement consistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

He stated, “We firmly believe that this is the only viable pathway to achieving a comprehensive, just, and durable solution to this longstanding conflict. To this end, we are prepared in principle to recognise the State of Palestine.”

Humanitarian and reconstruction efforts

Cheok announced that Singapore is considering deploying a medical team to the region to assist in treating patients from Gaza.

He added that, once a permanent ceasefire is achieved, Singapore stands ready to contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction.

Singapore has already contributed more than US$17 million (S$21.8 million) in financial and in-kind aid to Gaza. The assistance was channelled through regional and international organisations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Through a US$7 million enhanced technical assistance package, Singapore has also supported leadership training and capacity building for Palestinian officials, including expanded scholarship opportunities for Palestinian students to study in Singapore.

In July, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced two new initiatives to start in 2026. These include a partnership with Japan’s International Cooperation Agency to train the Palestinian Civil Police Force in community policing, and a leadership programme for emerging Palestinian leaders to learn from Singapore’s governance and public administration experience.

Support for the Arab Reconstruction Plan

Singapore also declared its support for the Arab Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, spearheaded by Egypt.

The 112-page proposal includes detailed redevelopment blueprints featuring housing estates, community centres, and gardens illustrated through artificial intelligence-generated images.

The United Nations conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, gathered representatives from about 125 countries. It aimed to finalise a declaration reaffirming the need for a sovereign and viable Palestinian state.

The United States and Israel notably boycotted the event.

Call for effective Palestinian governance

Cheok underscored the importance of establishing an effective Palestinian government that must “categorically renounce terrorism and accept Israel’s right to exist.”

He welcomed a letter from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dated 9 June, in which Abbas reaffirmed the Palestinian Authority’s rejection of violence and commitment to reform.

Singapore hopes these commitments will be implemented to strengthen governance and reinforce peace efforts.

Appeal for ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access

Cheok reiterated Singapore’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery.

He said the United Nations and humanitarian organisations must be allowed to resume operations freely, and called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages without conditions.

Describing the humanitarian crisis as “heartbreaking,” Cheok condemned reports of civilians being shot while seeking food as violations of international humanitarian law.

Growing international recognition of Palestine

Singapore’s position followed announcements by France and Britain indicating their intention to recognise the State of Palestine in September 2025.

French President Emmanuel Macron made the declaration on 24 July, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on 29 July that the United Kingdom would do likewise unless Israel demonstrates significant progress in granting humanitarian access and committing to peace talks.

These developments followed a joint statement by 28 nations on 21 July calling for an immediate end to the Gaza war and urging Israel to allow unhindered humanitarian aid.

The World Health Organisation warned on 27 July that malnutrition rates in Gaza were reaching “alarming levels” due to deliberate aid blockages.

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, at least 60,000 Palestinians — mostly civilians — have been killed since Israel’s military campaign began after Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attack, which left 1,219 people dead in Israel.

Fifty of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas remain held in Gaza.