https://www.facebook.com/619112407/posts/10161709949317408/
K. Shanmugam's recent post denouncing Israel's actions in Gaza is commendable. Clear, grounded in international law, and unafraid to call out what much of the world already sees: systematic violations, civilian deaths, and the erosion of basic human rights.
But let's be real — words, even from a senior minister, are still just words. They are not action. And in the context of an upcoming election, it's fair to question: why now? Why only him?
When one figure is allowed to speak so plainly while others in government remain conspicuously silent, some may interpret it as an attempt to rally support from specific voter blocs — in this case, a community that has long carried the emotional and moral burden of the Palestinian cause in Singapore: the Muslim community.
This cause, for decades, has been shouldered disproportionately by Muslims here. Their voices fill the comments under Shanmugam's post — over 90% Muslim/Malay support. But look at those who post frequently on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, like Bilahari Kausikan or Calvin Cheng, and a different picture emerges: their comment sections are often filled with defenders of Israel — mostly from the majority race in Singapore.
Please don't take my word for it. Go and search for their posts about this matter on Facebook, and see it for yourselves, and tell me if I'm wrong. I'm happy to be corrected if I am wrong.
Here's the hard truth: this isn't just about politics or foreign affairs. It's about empathy. Or the lack of it.
For Muslims, the support for Palestine is rooted in cultural, religious, and human affinity. That's easy to understand.
But to the majority race in Singapore who continue to defend Israel blindly — I have to ask: what exactly are you defending? This is not your fight. There is no historical, cultural, or religious connection here. So what compels you to speak with such certainty about something you neither relate to nor fully understand?
To champion a cause with no affinity and no comprehension is not intellectual. It is ideological mimicry. It is parroting power and global narratives without interrogating the facts, the history, or the suffering.
And when a senior figure like Shanmugam breaks rank to speak truth — to call the actions illegal and indefensible — it forces a pause. It creates a beachhead. A reference point. One we can point to and say: "Even a law minister has said it — this is no longer a fringe issue, no longer just a Muslim issue. It's a matter of law, justice, and humanity."
Still, let's not kid ourselves. Until more voices follow and actual policy changes, this is symbolic — not structural. A step, yes, but only a beginning.
So the question for all of us, especially those still choosing to see only one side:
Are you standing for justice? Or are you standing with power because it's easier, safer, and more familiar?
actually i dun care wtf happens there
the HAMAS are the one who provoked Israel, Israel has the right to retaliate, although maybe they may have gone too much
if they want peace then ask their HAMAS to surrender
need some advice ijjit need to be "right" until kenna asked to apologize in co-ordinated media campaign to cool the ground... :P
just rike usual suspects still scared to update latest mRNA jabs after being so forth"right" about SAFE and EFFECTIVE lolololololololol... :P
I think they are only happy when the "majority race" in Singapore is supporting the Muslims position.
he siao ah? we just need to look no further than our 2 neighbours to have a glimpse of what a pro muslim gahmen looks like...
he trying to vote out the pappies?
anyway no matter how "wrong" they think israel is, the hamas are too stupid to realise they are destroying themselves fighting a battle they couldn't win...
they rather lose the whole gaza than give in... they think they big like ukraine? or the 2 other small brother terrorists going to help them?
israel can defend against all 3 of them at one go...