Investigations into Whether Singaporeans Served in Israeli Defence Forces

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the claims that two Singaporeans served in the Israel Defense Force will be investigated; (b) if identified, whether these individuals will be prosecuted under section 125 of the Penal Code 1871 or any other relevant legislation; and (c) whether their citizenship will be deprived should they hold dual citizenship.

Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs in light of reports that two Singaporeans with multiple or dual nationalities served in the Israel Defense Forces (a) how is the Ministry verifying whether any Singaporeans have served or are serving in any foreign military without authorisation; (b) if verified, what action will be taken; and (c) how will policies be reviewed to mitigate risks of unauthorised foreign military involvement by Singaporeans.

Thank you, Sir. Sir, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is aware of a foreign news report stating that two Singaporeans were among those who fought for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the conflict in Gaza. The Ministry has no substantiated information confirming that any Singaporean has served, or is serving, in the IDF.

Our position has always been quite clear and publicly stated: Singaporeans should not participate in any foreign armed conflict not involving Singapore. Our loyalties as Singaporeans should only be to Singapore, and we should only ever engage in military action in defence of Singapore.

If Singaporeans are found to be fighting or even planning to fight in foreign armed conflicts, these persons will be dealt with sternly in accordance with our laws. We have stated that and have detained people in the past for that reason. And they can be dealt with under the Internal Security Act if they are found to be a threat to our national security. Those found holding multiple citizenships may also be deprived of their Singapore citizenship.

I thank the Coordinating Minister. Two supplementary questions from me. One is, in the event that these conflicts occur, the Minister mentioned that they do, how are the nationality obligations dealt with with the other state and what other upstream measures would the Ministry be considering to tighten the issuance of guidelines for clarity as to Singapore's stand?

I was hoping to better understand in the event that it is found that a Singaporean is involved in this case, how would Singapore be speaking with the other country in which there is involvement and what is the approach to that?

Anyone with a Singapore citizenship who is found to be engaging in a foreign armed conflict, as I have said earlier and I have said previously publicly, and my Ministry has also stated, will be dealt with in accordance with our laws. That could include being charged and that could certainly include being detained under the Internal Security Act if they are considered to be a threat to national security. And many have been detained on those grounds in the past and we have publicised them.

If we come across credible evidence of such persons, we will normally engage with foreign counterparties to try and get such persons to Singapore, but people can appreciate, that has its own challenges. If they are within Singapore, there is no issue; we will deal with them, as we have dealt with in the past.

On the second part of the question, on how can we make it clearer, I think we have made it very clear. The simple answer is, "Don't do it", and there is zero tolerance for it.

I thank the Minister for the answer. I have two supplementary questions. First, is section 125 of the Penal Code relevant and applicable against Singapore Citizens who serve in the IDF and other foreign militaries? If not, what amendments are necessary to render section 125 relevant to penalise the act of serving in a foreign military?

The Member said that he had two supplementary questions. I assume that question comprises both questions, is it?

Well, whether section 125 applies really depends on the facts and that would require investigation. In the past, we have often used the Internal Security Act as well. In our view, given the positions we have stated, the current legal framework, including the Internal Security Act, is adequate.

I thank the Minister for his reply. I just have one supplementary question. Would the Government be seeking clarification with the Israeli counterparts to verify the allegations as reported in the press?

The Government has asked the Israeli government. We have not received a response. And one must understand that there are obviously difficulties that other governments may face in complying with this request. We have made these sorts of requests and other sorts of requests to various governments. Sometimes, we get answers; sometimes, we do not get answers. Because while it is an offence under Singapore law and we consider it to be contrary to our national interests, it may not be an offence in Israel, nor may it be an offence in other countries. And persons who may be doing these things in other countries, whether in Ukraine or Russia, in the Middle East or elsewhere, or for Israel, may not be under any legal obligation to declare either their dual citizenship or any other fact relating to themselves.

And in such situations, those governments will not be able to even force them to give answers. They may well know that there are citizens or they may not even know because even their dual citizenship need not be reported. So, the Israeli government, or for that matter, the Ukrainian government or the Russian or other governments, may not even know that these people hold the dual citizenship. And any requests would then have to be made to all their soldiers, "Let us know all your dual citizenships." And such a request is probably not enforceable.

I am just sketching out to the Member the difficulties that foreign governments will have in complying with any such request.

It is fairly credibly reported that a lot of American citizens fight for Israel and that is not contrary to either American law or Israeli law. So, I assume that under Israeli law, people with dual citizenship can fight for Israel. Which means that if the Israeli government seeks to find out such information, the soldiers may not be obliged to give that information. I do not know; I am speculating. And if so, then there will be difficulties in getting the information – not just by the Israeli government, but other governments too. But we have reached out, we have not gotten a response.

If we get any credible information, we will take action. It does not matter to us whether you are fighting for Israel or Ukraine or Russia or some other Middle Eastern country or a terrorist organisation. It is not acceptable and we will take action if we find you.