SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Drive (SPF) is investigating attainable offences at two separate occasions associated to the Israel-Hamas warfare, together with a public gathering alongside Orchard Street.
Each occasions passed off on Feb 2.
A gaggle of about 70 individuals had assembled alongside Orchard Street at about 2pm and marched in direction of the Istana, carrying umbrellas with watermelon pictures in help of the Palestinian trigger.
They could have dedicated an offence for organising a public meeting and not using a allow, mentioned the police in a media launch on Tuesday (Feb 13), noting that the Istana is a notably security-sensitive space designated as a Prohibited Space.
“Moreover, their actions advocate the political causes of different nations and have the potential to fire up tensions and result in public dysfunction,” mentioned SPF, including that a number of police stories had been lodged by members of the general public.
In accordance with social media posts, individuals of the Letters for Palestine occasion walked from Plaza Singapura to the Istana to ship letters addressed to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The second case that police are investigating entails an on-line video of a non-public occasion “the place a topic was seen dwell streaming publicly and chanting ‘from the river to the ocean'”. Others had been seen chanting “Palestine might be free” in response.
The phrase “from the river to the ocean” is related to requires the destruction of Israel, SPF famous, including that the usage of such slogans can result in racial tensions in Singapore and could also be an offence.
WARNING AGAINST CALLS TO PROTEST AT SINGAPORE AIRSHOW
The investigations come amid heightened international tensions because the Israel-Hamas warfare drags on.
Singapore police additionally mentioned they’re conscious of calls to protest towards Israel on the Singapore Airshow, similar to gathering for a sit-in and pasting stickers associated to the battle.
The Singapore Airshow, to be held from Feb 20 to Feb 25, options shows by worldwide aerospace and defence corporations, together with these from Israel.
Police warned that organising or collaborating in a public meeting or procession and not using a allow is illegitimate.
Affixing posters, placards or different paperwork together with stickers on any properties with out permission additionally constitutes an offence.
In a Fb publish, Second Minister for House Affairs Josephine Teo mentioned that the police’s advisory “is just not meant to forestall anybody from expressing their issues, and even their robust views on this problem”.
“However there are methods of doing so that don’t break our legal guidelines or trigger a deep rift in our society,” she added.
“Bear in mind, we can not hope to finish conflicts by beginning extra conflicts of our personal. As a substitute, we are able to respectfully share our views and contribute to humanitarian aid efforts. Allow us to proceed to take care of these affected by the continuing battle and in so doing, preserve our personal unity.”
