Activist Gilbert Goh's Love Aid S'pore charity must register with Palestinian Authority, doesn't need S'pore govt endorsement

The Singapore government has clarified that Love Aid Singapore (LAS), a charity founded by activist Gilbert Goh, will have to register with the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Ministry of Interior (MOI) if it carries out humanitarian operations in the West Bank and Gaza.

However, Love Aid would not need backing from the Singapore government as part of the registration process.

This was revealed in a joint statement by Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Sep. 22, following a meeting between Goh and the Office of the Commissioner of Charities (COC) a day earlier.

Met COC on Sep. 21

Prior to the meeting, Goh said in an Instagram post that he would be meeting the COC and "hopefully MFA" at 5:30pm on Sep. 21.

He said the main issue he hoped to resolve was LAS's pending registration in Palestine.

Goh also said LAS had been registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) as a company with limited liability since Aug. 9, 2025.

He invited Singaporeans to submit other issues for him to raise during the meeting if time permitted.

"Thank you Singaporeans for allowing me to represent you under the pro-Palestinian cause," Goh wrote.

He added that LAS's humanitarian initiatives were continuing, although its polyclinic was temporarily closed.

The government subsequently confirmed that the COC met Goh on Sep. 21 to discuss several matters he had raised.

Registration with Palestinian Authority

One of the issues discussed was Goh's request for MFA's endorsement to assist LAS in registering as a non-governmental organisation in Gaza.

According to the joint statement, MFA sought clarification from the PA.

According to MFA, the PA said Love Aid would need to register with its Ministry of Interior to operate in the West Bank and Gaza, but would not need the Singapore government’s endorsement to do so.

Proposed collaboration with Al-Awda Hospital and the importance of due diligence

The COC and Goh also discussed LAS's intention to sign a memorandum of understanding with Al-Awda Hospital (AAH), one of the organisation's proposed partners.

The COC told Goh that whether LAS proceeded with the agreement was its decision, but stressed the importance of conducting proper due diligence on potential partners.

It added that, according to the PA, AAH was not affiliated with the Authority, and that the PA had no role in managing the hospital.

Government encourages donations through 'credible channels'

The Singapore government also reiterated its encouragement for Singaporeans who wish to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza to do so through "credible channels".

These include the Palestinian Authority, international agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme, as well as local charities such as the Singapore Red Cross and Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation.