Abstract
As a Singaporean, I often think about our country's mix of cultures and backgrounds. One intriguing question that has crossed my mind is whether the circumstances of Singaporeans are more analogous to the Israelis or the Palestinians. This inquiry is not just an academic exercise but a meaningful exploration that asks us to place ourselves in the shoes of either party. By doing so, we may draw greater empathy and understanding, recognizing that the criticisms we levy against others might sometimes reflect our own historical and social realities.
In light of recent events, such as the ongoing Israel war in Gaza following the Oct 7 terror attack by Hamas that resulted in the loss of over 1000 Israeli civilians, the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has once again captured global attention. This essay seeks to explore parallels between this conflict and the ethnic dynamics within Singapore, particularly regarding the Singaporean-Chinese and their relationship with the land.
Importance of This Inquiry
One important aspect of this inquiry is that it encourages us to place ourselves in the shoes of either party. It is often easy to judge a group without realizing that we might be in a similar position. For example, many Americans criticize or condemn Israelis as foreign settlers and occupiers without recognizing the irony of this position. Many Americans, especially those who are not native American Indians are in a similar position concerning their status in the land of America, as they are not the indigenous people.
This irony is often lost on them. For Singaporeans, especially those who are Chinese or Indian, this realization is crucial. For example, the same criticism or accusation levied against Israelis, such as them being foreign occupier settler colonialists, can potentially boomerang and be used against us. It is important to understand what our situation is when it comes to our own geopolitical circumstances when assessing others.
Introduction
In this essay, I will delve into the question of whether Singaporeans are more analogous to Israelis or Palestinians by examining their historical, cultural, and identity perspectives. First, I will explore the similarities and differences between the Singaporean and Israelis, focusing on historical connections, migration patterns, and societal impact. Then, I will shift the focus to the analogy between Singaporean and Palestinians, considering their historical presence, colonial legacies, and struggles for statehood.
Singaporeans as Israelis
To consider the Singaporean as analogous to Israelis, we can look at several aspects of historical and demographic shifts, as well as the dynamics of power and dominance.
Migration and Settlement
The Jewish people have ancient historical ties to the land of Israel, which dates back over 3,000 years. Ancient Jewish kingdoms existed in the region, and it is a central part of Jewish religious and cultural identity. Although many Jews were dispersed throughout the world over centuries (the Diaspora), they maintained religious and cultural ties to the land. The modern return, particularly in the late 19th and 20th centuries, and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, was seen by many Jews as a return to their ancestral homeland.
Similarly, the Chinese and Indian population in Singapore largely migrated during the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly under British colonial rule. The Chinese became the majority ethnic group, profoundly influencing Singapore’s social, economic, and cultural landscape. Their significant contribution to the development of Singapore echoes the transformative impact of Jewish migration on the land of Israel.
Dominance and Influence
Israel today is a powerful state with a robust economy and military. The Jewish population, having established political dominance, exerts considerable influence over the region. Analogously, the Singaporean-Chinese are the majority group in Singapore, holding significant economic and political power. Their dominance in various spheres of life in Singapore mirrors the Israeli influence in their region.
Historical Displacement
Jewish migration to Palestine led to the displacement of many Palestinians, similar to how the arrival of the Chinese in Singapore altered the demographic and socio-economic landscape. While the context of displacement differs, the analogy holds in terms of the transformative impact on the existing population and the resultant demographic dominance.
Differential factors of analogy with Israeli
Ancient Ties vs. Recent Migration:
The Jews’ connection to Israel spans thousands of years, with ancient kingdoms and religious significance. In contrast, the Chinese migration to Singapore is more recent, lacking the same ancient historical ties.
Singaporeans as Palestinians
On the other hand, considering the Singaporean as analogous to Palestinians brings a different perspective.
Long-Term Presence and Contribution
The Palestinians have lived in the region continuously for many centuries, contributing to its culture and society. Their continuous presence predates significant Jewish migration in the modern era. Similarly, the Chinese community has been a major part of Singapore’s fabric for over a century, significantly contributing to its development and prosperity. This long-term presence and deep-rooted contribution can be seen as a parallel to the Palestinian experience.
Majority Demographics Post-Colonial Rule/Exile:
After the exile of the Jews from ancient Palestine, the demographics shifted, making Palestinian Arabs the majority. Similarly, in Singapore, historical and colonial circumstances led to significant migration, transforming the Chinese community into the majority. Prior to these changes, the Malay population was the majority in the region, just like how the Jews were the majority in the land before Roman exile in 70 CE following the destruction of the Second Temple.
Differential Factors of analogy with Palestinian
However, there are also significant differences between the experiences of Singaporeans and Palestinians:
Competing Claims:
Unlike Singapore, which did not face significant competing claims to its territory post-colonial rule, Palestine encountered competing claims from Jewish communities seeking to establish a Jewish state in the region. This movement, known as Zionism, gained momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in response to the widespread persecution of Jews in Europe, advocating for the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
It is conceivable that if the Malay people or Malaysia had staked a claim to the territory of Singapore following British colonial rule, it would have introduced a significant and potentially contentious dimension to Singapore's history and development.
International Dynamics:
The geopolitical context surrounding Singapore's independence differed from that of Palestine, with Singapore benefiting from favorable international support and recognition, while Palestine faced challenges, including regional conflicts and geopolitical rivalries.
Continuous Presence:
Palestinians have lived continuously in the region for over a millennium, akin to the Orang Laut and Malays in Singapore. The Chinese, while having a long-term presence in Singapore, do not have the same level of historical continuity with pre-colonial times.
Conclusion on Indigeneity
By the definition of indigenous, which applies to groups with a historical continuity that predates colonial or settler societies, the Orang Laut and Malays are the indigenous people of Singapore. The Singaporean-Chinese, while significant settlers who have contributed immensely to the development and identity of modern Singapore, do not fit the strict definition of being indigenous.
Conclusion
Perhaps the outcome of my exercise in comparing and analyzing Singapore as an analogy with Israel and Palestine is this: it is possible to see Singapore through the lens and the eyes of both the Israeli and the Palestinian.
In the eyes of the Israelis, we can see ourselves as similar in the sense that we were brought to the land by the British in the 19th and 20th centuries, and even though there was an existing population that considers itself indigenous, we still believe or feel that we have a rightful place to exist within this society.
Conversely, we can also see ourselves through the eyes of the Palestinians. Despite having been in the land for quite some time and despite another group considering itself as having ancestral indigeneity, we believe that we, too, have a right to exist.
The moral of this analysis is that we should not be too quick to criticize or dismiss either party's right or sentiment to exist. It's possible to see ourselves in the shoes of either. If we criticize one or the other, we might be acting hypocritically and potentially undermining our own right to exist as a people and a nation.
Therefore, it's crucial to approach such conflicts with empathy and understanding, recognizing the complexities and nuances involved. This exercise reminds us to be cautious in our judgments and to respect the multifaceted nature of national identity and existence.
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