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Say that for the sake of Singapore': Vivian Balakrishnan blasts Workers' Party for not labelling Hamas attacks on Israel 'terrorism', Singapore News
www.asiaone.com
PHOTO: Gov.sg
PUBLISHED ONNOVEMBER 06, 2023 5:05 PM
ByCHING SHI JIE
In a speech today on the Israel-Hamas conflict, he said that it is in Singapore's national interest to strongly condemn the attacks.
"Let me be clear, what Hamas did on Oct 7 was an act of terrorism involving indiscriminate killing and extreme brutality. It's not a military operation targeted at military targets," he added.
"This is why Singapore has strongly condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas and called for the safe, immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It's in our absolute national interest that we hold fast to this stand."
However, he said that he was "somewhat reassured" after hearing WP members Gerald Giam and Singh' speeches that the attacks were not simply a "military operation".
"But I couldn't help but notice that the two WP members were unable to use the word 'terrorism'," Dr Balakrishnan added.
He urged the WP to describe Hamas' actions in Israel as "terrorism".
"And say it for the sake of Singapore and Singaporeans," he said.
Palestinian militant group Hamas had launched a large-scale surprise attack against Israel on Oct 7, which left thousands of civilians killed and hundreds were taken captive.
In a statement shared on social media on Oct 18, WP described Hamas' attack as "militant operations".
"The killing of non-combatants, women and children by any country or organisation, in the name of war, deserves no less than absolute condemnation," they said, while calling for an immediate hostilities and the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
www.asiaone.com
'terrorism'
PHOTO: Gov.sg
PUBLISHED ONNOVEMBER 06, 2023 5:05 PM
ByCHING SHI JIE
- #1
In a speech today on the Israel-Hamas conflict, he said that it is in Singapore's national interest to strongly condemn the attacks.
"Let me be clear, what Hamas did on Oct 7 was an act of terrorism involving indiscriminate killing and extreme brutality. It's not a military operation targeted at military targets," he added.
"This is why Singapore has strongly condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas and called for the safe, immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It's in our absolute national interest that we hold fast to this stand."
However, he said that he was "somewhat reassured" after hearing WP members Gerald Giam and Singh' speeches that the attacks were not simply a "military operation".
"But I couldn't help but notice that the two WP members were unable to use the word 'terrorism'," Dr Balakrishnan added.
He urged the WP to describe Hamas' actions in Israel as "terrorism".
"And say it for the sake of Singapore and Singaporeans," he said.
Palestinian militant group Hamas had launched a large-scale surprise attack against Israel on Oct 7, which left thousands of civilians killed and hundreds were taken captive.
In a statement shared on social media on Oct 18, WP described Hamas' attack as "militant operations".
"The killing of non-combatants, women and children by any country or organisation, in the name of war, deserves no less than absolute condemnation," they said, while calling for an immediate hostilities and the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
