SINGAPORE: Singapore Muslims have thrown their support behind the government's calls for an immediate ceasefire between Hamas in Gaza and Israel as violence in the Holy Land continues into its second week. Local reports have said over 100 Palestinians have been killed in the near constant airstrikes on Gaza by the Israeli air force, heightening concerns that the violence will continue unabated. Here in Singapore's “Muslim district” a number of cafe owners, including one from Jordan, told Bikyamasr.com that it is “hard to watch the violence as the world remains silent and in support of Israel.” Ammar Soliman said that “my family in Jordan is very worried over what is happening and they fear that the violence could spread into a regional war if the world does not act.” For him, it was a positive move by the Singapore government to call for a ceasefire, “because we should uphold the rights of civilians wherever they are being targeted.' Singapore on Tuesday called on all parties in the Israel-Hamas conflict to exercise maximum restraint, work towards an immediate ceasefire and avoid civilian casualties. A Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman said Singapore is deeply concerned by the loss of innocent lives and the escalating violence in Gaza, sparked by the rocket attacks by Hamas on Israel and the Israeli response. The spokesman added that Israel and Palestine should immediately facilitate humanitarian assistance. Singapore also encourages the mediation efforts by Egypt and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in brokering a ceasefire to restore calm and prevent the further loss of innocent lives. Separately, the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association, or PERGAS, issued a statement on Tuesday that condemned the military attacks by Israel on Gaza. PERGAS said that the Israeli attacks violated human rights and international law, which allows every citizen in the world to live peacefully together regardless of race and religion. The association also called on Israel to respect Palestinian rights to exist and that Israel's stand of self-defense was not an excuse for the use of force on innocent lives.
