Israel has not responded to query about S'poreans serving in IDF, soldiers may not be obliged to declare dual citizenship: Shanmugam

The Singapore government has sought to clarify with the Israeli government about allegations that Singaporeans served in the Israeli armed forces during the conflict in Gaza, but has not yet received a response.

Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam shared this in Parliament on Mar. 5, in response to a question by Workers' Party Member of Parliament (MP) Dennis Tan.

Tan was asking a follow-up question about verifying the claims with Israel, after Shanmugam stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has no substantiated information confirming that any Singaporean has served, or is serving, in the IDF.

He was also responding to similar questions asked by MPs Fadli Fawzi and Hazlina Abdul Halim.

May not be illegal in Israel

When Singapore receives credible evidence of citizens possibly fighting in foreign conflicts, the government will typically engage with foreign counterparties to try and transfer such persons to Singapore to be dealt with under the law.

However, there can be challenges in doing so.

Singapore has made similar requests for clarification from various governments in the past, but sometimes do not get answers, Shanmugam said.

"One must understand that there are obviously difficulties that other governments may face in complying with this request," he added.

While holding dual citizenships and fighting in foreign conflicts is an offence under Singapore law, it may not be an offence in Israel or other countries, he explained.

Therefore, such people may not be under any legal obligation to declare either their dual citizenship, or other information about themselves.

"In such situations, those governments will not be able to even force them to give answers...they may not even know because even the dual citizenship need not be reported," he went on.

Soldiers may not be obliged to provide such information

He noted that a lot of U.S. citizens were also reported to have fought for Israel, and that is not contrary to either U.S. law or Israeli law.

"So I assume that under Israeli law, people with dual citizenship can fight for Israel, which means that if [the] Israeli government seeks to find out such information, the soldiers may not be obliged to give that information," he said, adding that he was only speculating.

He emphasised that if Singapore does get any credible information about Singaporeans fighting in overseas conflicts, the government will take action.

Loyalties should only be to Singapore

Singaporeans should not participate in any foreign armed conflict not involving Singapore, Shanmugam reinforced.

"Our loyalties as Singaporeans should only be to Singapore, and we should only ever engage in military action in defence of Singapore," he said.

If a citizen is found to be fighting or planning to fight in foreign armed conflicts, they will be dealt with in accordance with the country's laws.

They can be dealt with under the Internal Security Act if they are found to be a threat to national security.

Those who are found to be holding multiple citizenships may also be deprived of their Singapore citizenship.

Fadli Fawzi asked a supplementary question about Section 125 of the Penal Code, and whether it needs to be amended to penalise the act of serving in a foreign military.

Shanmugam replied that whether Section 125 applies depends on the facts, and an investigation. In the government's view, the current legal framework, which includes the Internal Security Act, is adequate.

Top images from MDDI/YouTube and Israeli Defence Forces' Facebook