Singapore said on Friday it will slap sanctions on four Israelis for allegedly committing “egregious acts of extreme violence” against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.
The city-state’s foreign ministry named Meir Mordechai Ettinger, Elisha Yered, Ben-Zion Gopstein and Baruch Marzel as the men on whom financial restrictions and a bar from entry will be imposed, Reuters reported.
The news agency did not specify when the sanctions will take effect.
The ministry added that the individuals’ actions have jeopardized the prospects for a two-state solution, the report said.
“As a firm supporter of international law and the two-state solution, Singapore opposes any unilateral attempts to change facts on the ground through acts which are illegal under international law,” the ministry stated.
All four men have been previously sanctioned by the European Union.
In September, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that his country would recognize a Palestine state under the right conditions.
Israel and Singapore have had close diplomatic and military ties since the latter gained independence in 1965. However, the republic in 2024 backed a number of resolutions expressing support for the U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state, Reuters reported.
Balakrishnan has visited Israel as recently as Nov. 6. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted him at his office in Jerusalem, touting the two countries’ strong diplomatic relations.
“We have our historic friendship with Singapore. I think it’s been consistent over so many decades. It’s a pleasure to see the foreign minister here, but it’s not the first time that we meet. And it continues this remarkable partnership. Two small states with gigantic capabilities. And it’s very, very good to see you here to advance our common goals of prosperity, peace and security,” the premier said, according to his office.
