THREAD (1/15): Given recent events, I thought I'd share more about the history behind Singapore's close relationship with Israel since our independence.
It does not imply support for any side.

(2/15) Shortly after independence in 1965, Defence Minister Goh Keng Swee contacted Mordecai Kidron, the Israeli Ambassador in Bangkok to discuss military assistance. Lee Kuan Yew wrote to Egypt & India as well but both countries only congratulated & didn't offer aid.

(3/15) After Kidron notified his superiors, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) assembled a team led by Major General Rehavam Ze'evi (in sunglasses). The Israelis wrote what became the "Brown Book", an operational manual on how to set up a Defence Ministry & army.

(4/15) Col Yaakov Elazari & other IDF officers arrived in Singapore in Nov 1965, nicknamed "Mexicans". Elazari scouted the island before settling on Pasir Laba as the site for the new SAFTI officer school. The camp was built within a year using Israeli Engineering Corps plans.

(5/15) The first batch of SAF Officers were trained by Israeli instructors & passed out in July 1967. Singapore also adopted the National Service conscription & reservist systems used in Israel. Below are IDF advisors at the 1st SAF Day parade in 1969.

(6/15) In 1968, Singapore decided to create an Armoured Corps. 72 AMX-13 light tanks were secretly bought from Israeli surplus. The pioneer batch of SAF Armour officers (Camels) were sent to Israel for training. The tanks debuted at the 1969 NDP, surprising most observers.

(7/15) In recognition of Israel's aid, Singapore agreed to its request to establish an Embassy here. The 1st Israeli Ambassador Hagay Dikan presented his credentials to President Yusof Ishak On 23 July 1969.

(8/15) Israel reduced its advisors in the 1970s as the SAF gained strength & expertise. But the IDF was the one that recommended the SAF to use the M-16 rifle, helped form a basic flight school, navy school & provided marching music for the earliest military parades.

(9/15) Since then, Singapore has become one of Israel's largest arms customers, procuring US$551 million worth of weaponry from 1999-2018. Deals are generally kept low-key.

(10/15) Prominent Israeli weapons systems used include the avionics in RSAF F-16 & F-15 jets, the Heron 1 drones, the G550 Airborne Early Warning Aircraft (4x US$375m) & the SPYDER air defence system.

(11/15) This graphic from a widely shared Instagram post states that the Israeli Iron Dome system was possibly designed for Singapore which funded it. While there is no confirmation of that, what Singapore does have is the radar system used by Iron Dome. https://israeldefense.co.il/en/content/singapore-buys-iron-dome-radar

(12/15) On the diplomatic front, Singapore has generally abstained from UN resolutions on Israel but it did vote in favour of a resolution that criticised Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. https://mothership.sg/2017/12/singapore-position-united-nations-resolution/

(13/15) In 1986, Israeli President Chaim Herzog's visit to Singapore sparked massive protests in Malaysia & Indonesia. Here are some reports: https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/straitstimes19861119-1.1.12

(14/15) The open secret of Israel's assistance to Singapore was finally confirmed in 2000 in LKY's memoirs. In 2016, PM Lee made the first official visit to Israel, where he stated: "We will always be grateful that Israel helped us and stood by us, at our time of great need."

(15/15) There is by no means universal support for Israel in Singapore. But defence & foreign relations are rock solid & the reality is that advocates of boycotts online have zero influence on this relationship. You can read more about the history here: https://www.haaretz.com/1.4758973 

(16/15) Singapore does not recognise the State of Palestine but it does provide modest technical assistance. PM Lee visited Ramallah in 2016 and laid a wreath at Arafat's tomb. He also visited the Haram al-Sharif & Al Aqsa in Jerusalem. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/singapore-to-boost-technical-assistance-to-palestinians

I hope this modest thread will help clarify the Singapore-Israel relationship's history. We conduct our bilateral ties in a sandbox apart from the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians (this can & has been criticised of course). Thanks for reading!