Singapore says two states only solution for Israel, Palestinians

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong listens as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (not pictured) delivers his remarks during a plenary session of the ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 7, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Pool
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong listens as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (not pictured) delivers his remarks during a plenary session of the ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 7, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Pool

By Philip J. Heijmans and Rebecca Choong Wilkins

(Bloomberg) — Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said there’s no alternative to a two-state solution to ensure peace between Israelis and Palestinians, warning they otherwise risk endless conflict.

“There is no alternative to that,” he told Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait on Wednesday at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore. Otherwise, “we are going to be in this cycle of mutual destruction for generations to come.”

Lee has urged a cease-fire, and his government in Singapore has banned the public display of emblems related to the Israel-Hamas war. He called the current conflict an “enormous human tragedy.”

Singapore has taken a different position from the US, which is continuing its unequivocal support for Israel. US President Joe Biden urged Israel and Hamas to “pause” fighting in order to allow time to free hostages held in the Gaza Strip, while stopping short of supporting a full ceasefire.

Neighbouring Malaysia has voiced support for Hamas, which the US and Europe designated as a terrorist organisation. In Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has voiced support for Hamas, stoking anti-Israel sentiment that has shored up his domestic political standing.

The New Economy Forum is being organized by Bloomberg Media Group, a division of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.

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