Israeli Embassy’s social media post on Palestine stirs outrage in Singapore

Israeli Embassy’s social media post on Palestine stirs outrage in Singapore
Home Minister K. Shanmugam speaks to reporters in Singapore on March 25, 2024 about the government’s intervention following an inflammatory social media post by Israel’s embassy. (Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs)
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Updated 26 March 2024
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Israeli Embassy’s social media post on Palestine stirs outrage in Singapore

Israeli Embassy’s social media post on Palestine stirs outrage in Singapore
  • Singaporean Home Minister says the post was an ‘astonishing attempt to re-write history’
  • In December, South Korea objected to ‘inappropriate’ footage posted by Israeli Embassy in Seoul

SINGAPORE: An Israeli Embassy post on Palestine has stirred outrage in Singapore, with three ministers accusing it of inflaming tensions and disrespecting the city state’s multicultural society.

Israel’s mission published on its Facebook account on Sunday the post that compared mentions of Israel and Palestine in the Qur’an and claimed there was more evidence of the existence of the Jewish state in Palestinian land rather than Palestine.

The post was deleted the same day after Singapore’s Home Minister K. Shanmugam said it was an “astonishing attempt to re-write history” that was “wrong at many levels,” and “unacceptable from the perspective of safety and security” in Singapore.

“It is wrong to selectively point to religious texts to make a political point. Even worse, in this current situation, for (the) Israeli Embassy to make use of the Qur’an for this purpose,” Shanmugam told reporters on Monday.

“The writer of the post should look at UN resolutions, see if Israel’s actions in the past few decades have been consistent with international law, before trying to re-write history.”

A multicultural and multireligious state, Singapore has a significant Muslim minority, accounting for approximately 16 percent of its 6 million population.

“(We) made our views very clear to the Israeli Embassy because it is unacceptable from the perspective of safety and security in Singapore,” Shanmugam said.

“It carries a risk of undermining our safety, security and harmony in Singapore.”

Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, who is also the minister in charge of Muslim affairs, issued a statement saying that the embassy’s post touched on a sensitive matter to both Singaporeans and Muslims.

“It was insensitive and disrespectful and goes against the spirit of mutual respect and understanding that we have worked so hard to build up in Singapore over the years. Nobody should make interpretations that are offensive to another people’s faith, especially selectively using their sacred texts, to make political points,” he said.

“Whether one is a Singaporean or foreigner in Singapore, we must not do or say anything that disrupts the social harmony that is so precious to us in Singapore. Such insensitive and inappropriate messages can cause hurt, and sow distrust amongst different communities in Singapore.”

The post was removed upon intervention from the foreign ministry.

“We communicated to them (that it was) highly inappropriate to make references to sacred texts in order to score political points,” Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told reporters.

“Bear in mind the fact that we are in Singapore. In Singapore, we do things differently. With all due respect to foreign countries, we think that on the management of race, language and religion, for what it is worth, … we are a positive example.”

Maryam Ismail, analyst at Malaysia’s Institute of Strategic and International Studies, explained that Singapore prioritized social harmony and that inflammatory messaging was not accepted.

“The Israeli Embassy personnel that uploaded the Facebook post clearly overlooked this reality, which is not something that they would have to take into account when talking about the Israel-Palestine issue back home and in Israeli online spaces,” she said.

“I think the Singaporean Law and Home Affairs Ministry’s rebuke was judicious.”

It is very rare, however, for Singaporean authorities to intervene in the conduct of foreign missions, including their social media activity.

“As a manner of principle, foreign embassies in Singapore are free to post on Facebook as long as they do not violate Singapore’s laws, and rules and regulations. I am not aware of other embassies having been in the position where they were requested to take down a post,” James Dorsey, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore, told Arab News.

“Singapore’s government is concerned about communal harmony in Singapore; that has always been a major policy pillar.”

It is not the first time that the Israeli Embassy has stirred up controversy in Asia.

In December, Tel Aviv’s mission in South Korea deleted a video it posted on social media channels after concerns raised by the South Korean government, which said the footage was “inappropriate.”

The video — produced by the embassy — showed an imaginary attack on Seoul by assailants it seemed to liken to Palestinian fighters.


Philippines confident in US alliance under Trump amid China tensions, envoy says

Philippines confident in US alliance under Trump amid China tensions, envoy says
Updated 16 sec ago
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Philippines confident in US alliance under Trump amid China tensions, envoy says

Philippines confident in US alliance under Trump amid China tensions, envoy says
  • US-Philippine security engagements have deepened under President Joe Biden and Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
  • Both leaders keen to counter what they see as China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea and near Taiwan
MANILA: The Philippines expects US policy in the Indo-Pacific and support for its treaty ally amid South China Sea tensions to remain steady under Donald Trump, driven by bipartisan resolve in Washington, its ambassador to the US said on Thursday.
Both Democrats and Republicans prioritize countering China’s influence, including in the South China Sea, Jose Manuel Romualdez said, suggesting that military cooperation, economic ties and security commitments with the Philippines will continue.
“It is in their interest that the Indo-Pacific region remains free, peaceful and stable, especially given the economic part of it, with trillions of dollars passing through the South China Sea,” Romualdez said in an interview.
US-Philippine security engagements have deepened under President Joe Biden and Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr, with both leaders keen to counter what they see as China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.
Marcos said in a congratulatory message after Trump’s victory: “I am hopeful that this unshakeable alliance, tested in war and peace, will be a force of good that will blaze a path of prosperity and amity, in the region, and in both sides of the Pacific.”
Under Marcos, the Philippines has increased the number of its bases accessible to US forces to nine from five, some facing the South China Sea, where China has built artificial islands equipped with runways and missile systems.
The US has proposed $128 million for infrastructure improvements at those bases, in addition to a $500 million pledge for the Philippine military and coast guard.
Romualdez expressed confidence that these commitments, including joint US-Philippine maritime exercises that began last year, would continue under Trump.
“We have very strong bipartisan support in the US Congress where the money comes from. Every single one of our friends in the Republican side has signified their concern and strong support for whatever we’re doing right now in relation to the challenges we face with China today,” Romualdez said.
He suggested potential changes under Trump would be “minimal” and could even be favorable.
During Trump’s previous term, the US dispelled any doubts about its defense commitments when then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured Manila in 2019 that Washington would defend its ally if attacked in the South China Sea, reinforcing the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
Beijing claims much of the South China Sea, where about $3 trillion in ship-borne trade passes annually, with the area becoming a flashpoint for Chinese and US tensions around naval operations. There have been recent clashes over territorial claims between China and the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Romualdez emphasized Manila’s intent to manage disputes peacefully, and “will continue to dialogue with China as long as it’s not detrimental to our interests.”
“We’re not at war,” Romualdez said, adding there are many areas where Philippines and China can work with.

Mozambique deploys soldiers ahead of planned protests

Mozambique deploys soldiers ahead of planned protests
Updated 21 min 35 sec ago
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Mozambique deploys soldiers ahead of planned protests

Mozambique deploys soldiers ahead of planned protests
  • The southern African nation has been rocked by violence since an October 9 vote
  • Main opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane says results were false and that he won

MAPUTO: Soldiers and police were patrolling Mozambique’s capital Maputo early Thursday ahead of a planned protest against election results seen by the opposition as fraudulent, AFP reporters said.
The southern African nation has been rocked by violence since an October 9 vote won by the Frelimo party, which has been in power for almost 50 years.
The city of more than one more million people was a ghost town on Thursday morning, with shops, banks, schools and universities closed.
A group of a dozen demonstrators, many wearing flip flops and one man wrapped in a Mozambican flag, gathered around 0700 GMT on one of the main streets before being told by a soldier to go home.
Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo won the presidential election with 71 percent of the vote, according to the electoral commission, while the main opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane came in second with 20 percent.
Mondlane, backed by the small Podemos party, who said results were false and that he won, called for a mass protest on Thursday.
Using social media, he has rallied supporters out onto the streets since the election in demonstrations that have turned violent in police crackdowns.
In an interview with AFP, the opposition leader, whose whereabouts are unknown, said he would not be present at the march due to concerns over his safety.
At least 18 protesters have been killed in post-electoral violence, according to Human Rights Watch. Local NGO the Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD) said the death toll was 24.
A police officer was also killed in a protest at the weekend, Defense Minister Cristovao Chume told reporters Tuesday, warning the army could intervene “to protect the interests of the state.”
“There is an intention to change the democratically established power,” he said, amid fears that outgoing President Filipe Nyusi could declare a state of emergency.
Nyusi is expected to step down early next year at the end of his two-term limit.
The authorities have restricted access to Internet across the country in what seemed like an effort to “suppress peaceful protests and public criticism of the government,” according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
“The shutdown inhibits people’s ability to receive and use life-saving information, to assemble peacefully, and to express their political opinions in a time of crisis,” said Allan Ngari, Africa advocacy director at HRW.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on Wednesday that he was “deeply alarmed by reports of violence across the country.”
“The police must refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force and ensure that they manage protests in line with Mozambique’s international human rights obligations,” he said.
The Southern African Development Community has called for an extraordinary summit between November 16 and 20 in part to discuss developments in Mozambique.


Trial operation to remove radioactive debris from Fukushima nuclear plant successful

Trial operation to remove radioactive debris from Fukushima nuclear plant successful
Updated 07 November 2024
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Trial operation to remove radioactive debris from Fukushima nuclear plant successful

Trial operation to remove radioactive debris from Fukushima nuclear plant successful
  • Extracting the estimated 880 tonnes of highly radioactive fuel and debris from Fukushima remains the most challenging part of the decades-long decommissioning process

TOKYO: A difficult operation to remove a small piece of radioactive debris from Japan’s stricken Fukushima nuclear plant using a robotic device was completed successfully, the plant operator said Thursday, after technical issues halted earlier attempts.
Extracting the estimated 880 tonnes of highly radioactive fuel and debris from Fukushima remains the most challenging part of the decades-long decommissioning process.
But radioactivity levels inside the former power station, which went into meltdown in 2011 after being hit by a catastrophic tsunami, are too high for humans to enter.
So engineers used a specially developed extendible robotic device to remove a sample with a diameter of five millimeters (0.2 inches), aiming to study it for clues about conditions inside the stricken reactors.
The trial debris removal began in September, after an initial attempt in August was suspended at an early stage over a problem with the equipment’s installation.
Another technical snag related to cameras on the apparatus caused a pause of over a month before the procedure resumed in late October.
On Thursday, plant operator TEPCO said it had “completed the trial removal of fuel debris,” declaring the operation a success after several complex steps.
Over the weekend, the robot managed to remove a piece of debris from a containment vessel surrounding a damaged reactor for the first time.
Technicians then tested the radiation level of the sample on Tuesday and put it in a special container.
It will be sent to research institutes in Ibaraki north of Tokyo for analysis, a TEPCO spokeswoman said, adding that the company is still studying when it will be able to start the full-fledged removal of the radioactive debris.
Three of Fukushima’s six reactors were operating when the tsunami hit on March 11, 2011, triggering the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
Japan last year began releasing into the Pacific Ocean some of the 540 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of treated reactor cooling water amassed since the disaster.
The step sparked a diplomatic row with China and Russia, both of which banned seafood imports, although Japan insists the discharge is safe, a view backed by the UN atomic agency.
Beijing, however, said in September it would “gradually resume” importing seafood from Japan after imposing the blanket ban.


EU leaders call on Georgia to probe vote ‘irregularities’

EU leaders call on Georgia to probe vote ‘irregularities’
Updated 07 November 2024
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EU leaders call on Georgia to probe vote ‘irregularities’

EU leaders call on Georgia to probe vote ‘irregularities’
  • They added they would not be able to support the ex-Soviet republic’s ambitions to join the European Union

BUDAPEST: The leaders of France, Germany and Poland called on Georgia Thursday to quickly probe “numerous irregularities” during a recent parliamentary poll won by the Russia-leaning ruling party but contested by the pro-Western opposition.
In a joint statement, the EU countries’ leaders said they were “deeply concerned by the numerous irregularities and voter intimidation” reported during the vote.
They added they would not be able to support the ex-Soviet republic’s ambitions to join the European Union unless it showed it was serious about carrying out necessary reforms.
“If Georgia does not change course by demonstrating concrete efforts in terms of reform... we will not be able to support the opening of accession negotiations with this country to the European Union,” French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a joint statement.
The pro-Western opposition in Georgia, a small country tucked in the Caucasus, has refused to recognize the ruling Georgian Dream party’s win in the October 26 election or to enter the newly elected parliament, which it calls “illegitimate.”
The European Union and the United States blasted “irregularities” in the vote, while Georgian Dream’s opponents have accused it of putting the Caucasus country on a pro-Kremlin track.


Philippines evacuates thousands ahead of Typhoon Yinxing

Philippines evacuates thousands ahead of Typhoon Yinxing
Updated 07 November 2024
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Philippines evacuates thousands ahead of Typhoon Yinxing

Philippines evacuates thousands ahead of Typhoon Yinxing
  • Packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 175 kilometers (109 miles) per hour, Typhoon Yinxing could make landfall in the northern Philippines later in the day or early Friday, the state weather agency

MANILA: The Philippines has evacuated thousands of people from coastal communities ahead of a major typhoon, officials said Thursday, just weeks after a tropical cyclone left at least 150 people dead.
Packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 175 kilometers (109 miles) per hour, Typhoon Yinxing could make landfall in the northern Philippines later in the day or early Friday, the state weather agency said.
Yinxing is the third storm in less than a month to threaten the Philippines after Severe Tropical Storm Trami and Super Typhoon Kong-rey together left 158 people dead, the national disaster agency said, with most of that tally attributed to Trami.
At least 17,000 people from coastal areas of Cagayan province, in the country’s far north, moved into temporary shelters on Wednesday to avoid potential flooding from heavy rains now pounding the region, provincial rescue official Rueli Rapsing told AFP.
“I’m expecting more evacuees to arrive since there is an ongoing evacuation in the municipalities,” Rapsing said.
The national weather agency said Cagayan, home to about 1.3 million people, might bear the brunt of Yinxing based on its current trajectory.
“We have already depleted the quick response fund of the province and we’re actually asking the national disaster council for the replenishment of the quick response fund so we can provide assistance,” Rapsing said.
In Ilocos Norte province near Cagayan, rescuers were on standby to help local police, fire officers and soldiers in emergency response, provincial rescue official Randy Nicolas told AFP.
Nicolas said they are closely monitoring possible landslides, floods and swelling of rivers in the province, with storm surges — huge waves along the coast, also a concern in Ilocos Norte and Cagayan.
Disaster officials in the mountainous province of Apayao said almost 500 people have been evacuated.
“We really prioritized preemptive evacuations because we want to have zero deaths here in Apayao,” provincial disaster official Aldrin Agmata told AFP.
School has been suspended in many areas of the north and President Ferdinand Marcos put all government agencies on high alert so they can swiftly respond.
“Remember, every life is important so we should always be prepared,” Marcos said in a statement on Wednesday.