SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Pressure (SPF) is investigating potential offences at two separate occasions associated to the Israel-Hamas war, together with a public gathering alongside Orchard Highway.
Each occasions befell on Feb 2.
A gaggle of about 70 folks had assembled alongside Orchard Highway at about 2pm and marched in the direction of the Istana, carrying umbrellas with watermelon pictures in help of the Palestinian trigger.
They might have dedicated an offence for organising a public meeting with no 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 international locations and have the potential to fire up tensions and result in public dysfunction,” mentioned SPF, including that a number of police reviews have been lodged by members of the general public.
Based on social media posts, members 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 personal occasion “the place a topic was seen reside streaming publicly and chanting ‘from the river to the ocean'”. Others have 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 conflict drags on.
Singapore police additionally mentioned they’re conscious of calls to protest in opposition to Israel on the Singapore Airshow, reminiscent of 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 with no 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 Residence Affairs Josephine Teo mentioned that the police’s advisory “shouldn’t be meant to stop anybody from expressing their considerations, and even their sturdy views on this concern”.
“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’t hope to finish conflicts by beginning extra conflicts of our personal. As a substitute, we will 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, keep our personal unity.”
