SINGAPORE STILL ASSESSING INVITATION TO US' BOARD OF PEACE

SINGAPORE, Feb 27 (Bernama) — Singapore is still assessing the invitation from the United States (US) to formally join the Board of Peace, said Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Speaking during the debate on Committee of Supply 2026 in the Parliament on Friday, Balakrishnan said that in the meantime, the government will continue to explore initiatives, including those recently announced at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace on Feb 19, 2026.

"Singapore will continue to play a constructive role in the pursuit of peace and reconstruction in Gaza," he said on Friday.

Balakrishnan reiterated that Singapore's long-standing position on Palestine is that the only path to a just and durable peace is a negotiated two-state solution consistent with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

"We oppose attempts to create new facts on the ground that undermine the prospects for a two-state solution, and it is our consistent position that the Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law," he added.

Explaining further, he emphasised that the Singapore government will do more to alleviate the suffering in Gaza as the republic has extensive diplomatic ties across the entire Middle East.

"We have sent 11 tranches of humanitarian aid amounting to more than S$25 million (about RM77 million) to help the civilians in Gaza so far.

"You know that these fundraising efforts are ongoing, and more than just money, there are Singaporeans lining up to volunteer their professional services to help on the ground," he said.

-- BERNAMA