The vote additionally represented Singapore’s “heartfelt need to see each events resume direct face-to-face negotiations in good religion”, he stated.
Reflecting on the “heinous” Oct 7 assaults by Hamas and Israel’s navy response, which he reiterated had “gone too far”, Dr Balakrishnan stated that the request to think about Palestinian membership had come at a “significantly troublesome second”.
Nonetheless, he stated that the established order was now not sufficient, and {that a} “restart of diplomatic efforts” was wanted.
“Ideally, Palestine’s UN membership ought to have been thought-about when hostilities had been ceased, when all civilian hostages had been launched, and when Israelis and Palestinians had been again on the negotiating desk,” he stated.
“However frankly, we at the moment are so removed from these situations that Singapore and lots of different nations needed to take into account how our vote at this time would assist lay the groundwork for an finish to hostilities that may hopefully result in a permanent peace. Or on the very least a return to the negotiating desk to speak about methods to get there.
“The one viable resolution – troublesome as it might be now amid the craze, the disillusionment, the anger and the mistrust from each side – is to revive efforts in the direction of a two-state resolution.”
