Singapore to impose sanctions on leaders of Israeli settler groups

Singapore's foreign minister on Monday said that the country will impose "targeted sanctions" on leaders of Israeli settler groups and would recognise a Palestinian state, Reuters news agency has reported. 

"We call on the Israeli government to cease settlement construction and expansion," Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said, speaking in parliament, adding that the E1 settlement project would lead to a fragmenting of the West Bank.

"We oppose ongoing attempts to create new facts on the ground which undermine the prospects for a two-state solution," he said. 

Balakrishnan said Singapore would recognise a Palestinian state and that the nation is waiting for an "appropriate constellation" of factors.

“Ultimately, to resolve this longstanding conflict in a comprehensive, just and durable manner, there needs to be a negotiated settlement which results in two states, one Israeli [and] one Palestinian, with their peoples living alongside each other in peace, security and dignity,” he added.