'Glimmer of hope' Gaza ceasefire will hold, allowing for increased volume of humanitarian aid: Vivian Balakrishnan

Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan has wrapped up his four-day working visit to Palestinian Territories and Israel on Nov. 6, a visit which saw him meet with the Prime Ministers of both Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and of the Palestinian Authority, Mohamad Mustafa.

The trip took a full day in Ramallah, where he met several senior PA leaders, the President of Israel, Issac Hertzog, and leaders of several parties in Israel's parliament.

Vivian spoke to members of the press at the end of his trip and spoke about the warm welcome that the Singaporean delegation, which included Members of Parliament Yip Hon Weng and Hazlina Abdul Halim, received.

Hectic trip, full of meetings

Vivian described a "hectic trip, full of meetings", but one that was also a "good opportunity" where the Singaporean delegation was able to engage candidly, robustly, and frankly at very senior levels.

Yip and Hazlina, who are members of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, also spoke to the press, sharing that they had met with several non-governmental organisations, trying to find opportunities to provide help beyond the immediate need for humanitarian aid.

Vivian shared three points of note: firstly, that everyone was encouraged that the ceasefire, while fragile, "is still holding".

That enabled his second point, that the glimmer of hope the ceasefire provided allowed for the increase in the volume of humanitarian assistance. However, Vivian noted that "everyone still feels that there's a need to increase the volume even more significantly".

Thirdly, diplomatic activities were now focusing on the United Nations Security Council, where a draft resolution was being drafted and considered, which would allow a "much surer footing for progress", backed by the UN.

Continued engagement with Palestine and steadfast support

Vivian also shared that Palestinian leaders "are grateful for (Singapore's) continued engagement", its steadfast support for capacity-building, and hope to accelerate "the pace of capacity-building" as they prepare for eventual statehood.

He conveyed their thanks to Singaporeans for their generosity, in the form of aid over the past two years, as well as the donation to the World Food Programme that Vivian had just overseen.

Vivian said that Singapore would look for opportunities "in its own small, modest way", to contribute to Gaza's "enormous need" for reconstruction efforts.

Vivian said that while speaking to leaders in Israel's government, the Singaporean delegation had conveyed that there was a need for a "significant surge in humanitarian assistance".

"There should be no reason for any Palestinian in Gaza to be short of food or denied access, or have any restriction on access to medical care."

If, he said, Singapore could contribute to humanitarian and medical services, "we would step up", a sentiment that he had conveyed to leaders of both sides.

Israeli leaders

One of the last sets of meetings Vivian had was with Israeli leaders, particularly PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

Describing the relationship between the two governments and countries as "unique", Vivian said that Israel's government knew that Singapore had their own views, which they accepted in "good grace".

He characterised the exchange as candid, frank, and robust, but still constructive, where Vivian was able to speak about their differences of view in such a way because of the two countries' long-standing relationship.

Welcomed by both sides

Vivian closed his comments by emphasising that the delegation had been "welcomed by both sides".

"They are grateful to Singaporeans for our support, and we (the delegation) depart with gratitude for what we have in Singapore, and with hopes for the people of Palestine and Israel for a future defined by peace, dignity, and security."

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Top image via Mothership