“Acts of antisemitism will not be tolerated in Singapore,” K. Shanmugam, national security and home affairs minister, said at Chesed-El Synagogue last week, following a spate of antisemitic incidents.
His visit to the synagogue coincided with its 120th anniversary, which Shanmugam took as an opportunity to remind people of Singapore’s long Jewish history. “The Jewish community adds to the richness of our multi-religious landscape,” he said, adding that while “small, Jews have made an outsized contribution to our nation’s development in business, civic, professional, charitable life.”
However, most of his speech was dedicated to reassuring the Jewish community of the government’s support amid increasing global hate.
He told of recent conversations with members of the Jewish community who had relayed their experiences of hostility, both on and offline.
He spoke of an incident in September this year, when the restrooms in several international schools in Singapore, which have Jewish students, were vandalized with anti-Israel vulgarities. Then, in October, a passing motorist shouted
“Free Palestine” at a member of the Jewish community wearing a kippah on his way to synagogue.
“In Singapore, followers of any faith who wear visible markers of their religion – Jews do that, Christians, Muslims, even
Hindus, visible markers – should never be made to feel targeted based on their religion,” he said, noting that such incidents have extended beyond the Jewish community to other Singaporeans as well.
For example, in October, a Singaporean Chinese man wearing a cap with a patch resembling the Israeli flag was assaulted by a Malay man. In the same month, a Catholic member of the public reported that a couple she was speaking with had condemned her in the name of God for not doing anything for Palestinians.
Shanmugan also drew attention to increasing Islamophobic sentiment in Singapore in the wake of the October 7, 2023, attacks.
In 2024, there were several incidents involving graffiti in public toilets, reading, “Melayu Sokong Hamas”: translated, “Malays support Hamas.”
Despite all the above mentioned examples, Shanmugan said, “in Singapore, the situation is very much under control.”
He said his visits to the Jewish community, Muslim communities, and others help to “nip [issues] in the bud.”
“Here in Singapore, our laws and norms reflect a very simple principle: Everyone, regardless of race or religion, must be treated fairly,” he said. “They must be allowed to practice their religion freely. They must be protected from discrimination, harassment, and violence. And all Singaporeans, and all communities in Singapore, whatever our feelings toward Palestine or Israel, must feel safe and respected here.”
Shanmugan also addressed a connected issue regarding a request to hold a Friends of Israel gala dinner at the Fullerton Hotel.
“I can understand the sentiments people feel,” he noted. But “if money is channeled toward Jewish resettlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories [sic], you can understand that people will feel very unhappy about that.”
“Our position is that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, and we don’t want funds from Singapore going for that.”
He added that the fundraising could go ahead, but conditions had been imposed, and the Singaporean government has said the funds raised cannot be used for the resettlement of Jews in the West Bank. Additionally, the funds cannot be used to support any military or combat operations in any way, directly or indirectly.
Shanmugan condemned calls on social media for poisoned food to be served at the dinner, for a Palestinian terrorist group to be invited, or to hold the event in front of an incinerator, which appears to be alluding to the Holocaust.
“These sorts of things are unacceptable,” he stressed.
Jewish community in Singapore
About 2,500 Jews live in Singapore. The community was established in the 1800s, with many coming from Baghdad, and has grown since.
There are several synagogues: The Maghain Aboth Synagogue (founded in 1878), the Chesed El Synagogue (founded in 1905), and the Jacob Ballas Centre and a school.
Additionally, the community provides a women’s mikveh, a men’s mikveh, a kosher restaurant, a Sunday Hebrew School program, an old people’s home for the aged, a Chevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society), and a kosher store.