Israel-Gaza war: Singapore activist Gilbert Goh under investigation for holding placard despite protest ban
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Israel-Gaza war: Singapore activist Gilbert Goh under investigation for holding placard despite protest ban
On Wednesday, the police and National Parks Board said it would turn down applications to hold events and public assemblies related to the conflict due to public safety and security concerns amid heightened tensions.
The next day, Goh posted on Instagram a black-and-white photo of himself at Speakers’ Corner, with a handwritten placard that read: “Peace not war. Israel stop the killing at Gaza! Hamas release all the hostages!”
A different, coloured version of the photo was later posted elsewhere on social media, including on the Reddit platform as well as by alternative news source Wake Up Singapore.
No events linked to Israel-Gaza war allowed in Singapore amid ‘safety’ concerns
No events linked to Israel-Gaza war allowed in Singapore amid ‘safety’ concerns
The police on Saturday said they were “aware of a social media post showing a man holding onto a sign relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict outside the Speakers’ Corner, and investigations are ongoing”.
Goh was not identified.
Hong Lim Park is Singapore’s sole free speech zone where demonstrations that do not touch on topics such as race and religion, or involve foreigners and overseas issues, do not require police approval.
On Saturday, the police also reiterated its reasons for not permitting public assemblies to do with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East; and that organising or taking part in one without permission constitutes an offence.
04:18
Opinion | Apocalypse now: hell on Earth for Palestinians trapped in Gaza
Opinion | Apocalypse now: hell on Earth for Palestinians trapped in Gaza
The Palestinian militant group Hamas took more than 200 people hostage when it stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7 and killed at least 1,400 people.
Israel has bombarded the densely populated territory in retaliation, levelling entire city blocks and killing over 4,000 Palestinians. Troops are massed on the border with Gaza ahead of an expected ground invasion.
In August last year, Goh was fined for protesting outside the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority building without a permit. He had held up a placard in May 2021, calling on flights from India to be banned in response to a surge in Covid-19 cases.
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