SINGAPORE – There have been several incidents of anti-Semitism in Singapore, which is a worrying development, said Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam.
On Nov 6, Mr Shanmugam said in September, some toilets in international schools with Jewish students were vandalised with anti-Israel vulgarities.
In October, a Jewish man wearing a skullcap on his way to the synagogue at Waterloo Street heard a passing motorist shout “Free Palestine” at him.
These incidents come in the wake of global tensions due to the Israel-Palestine conflict since October 2023.
Mr Shanmugam was speaking on the sidelines of a closed-door engagement session with members of the Jewish community at the Chesed-El Synagogue, along Oxley Rise.
It celebrated its 120th anniversary on Nov 6 with a gathering of more than 200 people, including members of the Inter-Religious Organisation and guest-of-honour Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash.
Mr Shanmugam said acts of anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in Singapore.
He said: “Here in Singapore, our laws and norms reflect a very simple principle: everyone, regardless of race and religion, must be treated fairly. They must be allowed to practise their religion freely.
“They must be protected from discrimination, harassment and violence. And all Singaporeans and all communities in Singapore, whatever our feelings towards Palestine or Israel, must feel safe and respected here.”
He said he was there to hear from the Jewish community about the unpleasant incidents they faced both online and offline, and noted that they now feel less secure.
Mr Shanmugam said the negative experiences have also affected other Singaporeans.
He said: “(In) late October, a Singaporean Chinese man wearing a cap with a patch resembling the Israeli flag was assaulted by a Malay man.”
He added the police were investigating the incident.
He also said a Catholic woman reported through a Government feedback channel that a couple had condemned her in the name of God for not doing anything for Palestinians.
Mr Shanmugam added: “Late last year, there were a series of incidents involving graffiti in public toilets which said ‘Melayu Sokong Hamas’ (which) translated (means), ‘Malays support Hamas’.”
