6-11-2023 (SINGAPORE) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Singapore issued a stern warning on Monday, emphasizing that publicly displaying or wearing foreign national emblems connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict without the necessary permit is a criminal offense. Under the Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act of 1949, individuals found guilty of this offense can face imprisonment for a maximum of six months and a fine of up to $500. This legislation applies to all foreign national emblems, including flags and banners representing any nation.
Travellers who are found wearing such emblems can also face the possibility of being denied entry into Singapore, according to the MHA.
The ministry acknowledged the existence of apparel and paraphernalia featuring foreign national emblems related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which are available for purchase online and have been worn or displayed by members of the public.
The Straits Times conducted an investigation and discovered various merchandise supporting both sides of the conflict being sold on different social media and e-commerce platforms. These items include T-shirts, stickers, and headbands, with one T-shirt listed for sale at $20.
In its advisory, the MHA highlighted the highly emotive nature of the Israel-Hamas conflict and advised the public against displaying or wearing items associated with the conflict. The ministry specifically warned against promoting or endorsing terrorism through the display of apparel or paraphernalia featuring logos of terrorist or militant groups, such as Hamas or its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.
For individuals who wish to contribute to humanitarian relief efforts for those affected by the conflict, the MHA suggested supporting authorized fundraising activities and donation drives. Local charities with permits for fundraising for foreign charitable purposes, such as the Singapore Red Cross Society (SRC) and the Rahmatan Lil Alamin (Blessings to All) Foundation (RLAF), were mentioned as reliable avenues for such contributions.
As of November 1, RLAF had successfully raised approximately $4.6 million to provide aid to communities in Gaza, marking a record amount raised by the charity to date. The fundraising campaign was launched on October 19 and is set to conclude on November 17. The SRC, on the other hand, announced its commitment to send relief supplies worth US$200,000 (S$270,000) to the war zone. These supplies include hygiene kits, clean water, food provisions, medical consumables, and equipment like wheelchairs. The Singaporean Government has also contributed $300,000 towards relief operations through the SRC.
Furthermore, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, confirmed in his parliamentary speech on Monday that holding assemblies at Speakers’ Corner in Hong Lim Park on topics related to the Israel-Hamas war is illegal. Over the past three years, seven applications to use the area for events have been rejected, with five of them being associated with events related to the ongoing conflict in October. Minister Faishal emphasized the heightened tensions and potential for public demonstrations to advocate for or show sympathy towards one side of the conflict, which could lead to on-ground incidents and divisions among Singaporeans.
He encouraged vigilance among Singaporeans and urged them to report any suspicious behavior or individuals they suspect might have been radicalized to the authorities.
These regulations reflect Singapore’s commitment to maintaining public order and national security in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
