Vivian Balakrishnan: Singapore is still assessing US invite to join Trump-led “Board of Peace”

Singapore is assessing an invitation from the United States to formally join the Board of Peace, a US-led initiative overseeing the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said on 27 February 2026.

Speaking during the debate on his ministry’s budget, Dr Balakrishnan said the Government is reviewing the invitation sent in January.

In the interim, it will explore initiatives announced at the Board’s inaugural meeting in Washington DC on 19 February 2026.

Close to 50 countries attended the meeting, which marked the launch of the Board to supervise reconstruction and stabilisation efforts in Gaza.

Continued engagement regardless of decision

Responding to a question from Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam, Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore would continue to play a constructive role in pursuing peace and reconstruction in Gaza, regardless of its final decision on formal membership.

He reiterated Singapore’s longstanding position that a negotiated two-State solution, consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, remains the only path to a just and durable peace.

“We oppose attempts to create new facts on the ground that undermine the prospects for a two-State solution. It is our consistent position that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law,” he said.

Clear positions on the conflict

Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore has consistently taken clear positions on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

He noted that the Republic condemned the attacks on Israel on 7 October, 2023, describing them as acts of terror, and affirmed that every state has a right of self-defence.

However, he stressed that in exercising this right, countries must abide by international law, including international humanitarian law.

Singapore has clearly stated that Israel’s military response has breached international humanitarian law, he added.

Diplomacy not a “morality play”

Dr Balakrishnan cautioned against reducing foreign relations to a “morality play”.

“I think you will be hard pressed to find occasions when the Prime Minister or me ever refer to anyone, any other leader or any other country as evil or saint. That’s not the way things work in real life,” he said.

He agreed with MP Yip Hon Weng on the need for moral clarity and diplomatic effectiveness, but emphasised that diplomacy requires engagement rather than moral labelling.

Humanitarian aid and capacity building

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim highlighted Singapore’s continued humanitarian support for Gaza.

He said the Republic has contributed 11 tranches of aid, amounting to more than S$25 million in assistance.

The humanitarian crisis has moved many in the community, and Singaporeans have come together across races and religions to support relief efforts, he said in Malay, describing it as a reflection of a “we first” spirit.

Singapore has also committed S$10 million under an Enhanced Technical Assistance Package for the Palestinian Authority, aimed at preparing for eventual statehood through human capital development.

Mr Zhulkarnain said Singapore is working with regional partners such as Jordan and Egypt to support Palestinians in Gaza, including through airdrop operations for humanitarian supplies and the donation of prosthetics.

Engagement with Palestinian Authority

Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Zhulkarnain recently hosted Palestinian Authority Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Estephan Salameh during his official visit to Singapore.

Dr Salameh expressed appreciation for Singapore’s humanitarian assistance and capacity-building support, Mr Zhulkarnain said.

The Government looks forward to continuing to share Singapore’s development experience with the Palestinian Authority in areas of interest and assistance, he added.

Broader spirit of giving

During the debate, MP Hazlina Abdul Halim asked about the situation in Gaza, while Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi and Mr Yip sought updates on Singapore’s humanitarian contributions.

Mr Zhulkarnain noted that Singapore’s spirit of giving extends beyond Gaza.

When Southeast Asia and South Asia experienced a series of natural disasters last year, Singaporeans stepped up to contribute assistance and support fundraising efforts by the Singapore Red Cross and other charitable organisations, he said.