Israeli President Chaim Herzog paid a three-day official visit to Singapore from 18 to 20 November 1986 at the invitation of then President Wee Kim Wee.[1] Herzog was the first Israeli head of state to visit Singapore. His trip was part of a tour of Asia and the South Pacific covering Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Hong Kong and Singapore.[2] Herzog’s scheduled visit to Manila, the Philippines, was subsequently cancelled in light of the political situation there.[3]
The purpose of Herzog’s visit to Singapore was to strengthen the economic ties between Israel and Singapore, specifically in the area of establishing joint ventures as well as joint research and development projects in the scientific research, high-tech and agricultural industries.[4] When Herzog’s trip to Singapore was first announced by the Israeli Embassy in Singapore in October 1986, it was met with protests from various political groups in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, and displeasure from their governments.[5] They urged Singapore to be sensitive to the feelings of its Muslim neighbours and to call off Herzog’s visit by taking into account the prevailing sympathy of Muslims in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei towards the Palestinians’s struggle against the Israeli government.[6]
Despite the protests, Herzog’s visit went on as scheduled. During his three-day visit, the Israeli president attended a welcoming ceremony at the Istana where he was received by President and Mrs Wee Kim Wee as well as a number of cabinet members, including then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and then Second Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong. Herzog then met with the Jewish community and paid a visit to the Jewish synagogue at Waterloo Street.[7] He also visited the Housing Development Board and Jurong Town Corporation headquarters during which he was briefed on Singapore’s housing and industrial development strategies.[8] On the eve of his departure, Herzog told reporters that he was impressed with the development of Singapore especially in the areas of housing and industrial development, and that Israel had much to learn from Singapore.[9] He also commented on the Middle East peace process and reiterated that Israel was willing to find a solution with its Arab neighbours through negotiations.[10]
References
1. The day S'pore hosted the Israeli president and the Pope. (1986, December 6). The Straits Times, p. 25; Israeli head of state to visit S'pore next month. (1986, October 23). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. The Straits Times, 23 Oct 1986, p. 10; Israelis troubled over snags in visit. (1986, November 21). The Straits Times, p. 12. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Israeli president calls off trip to Manila. (1986, November 15). The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. The Straits Times, 23 Oct 1986, p. 10.
5. KL calls in envoy to express regret. (1986, November 19). The Straits Times, p. 12; Yang Razali Kassim (1986, November 18). Jakarta expresses displeasure over Herzog visit. The Straits Times, p. 1; Brunei also unhappy over Herzog's visit. (1986, November 20). The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. S'pore urged to cancel Herzog visit. (1986, October 25). The Straits Times, p. 10; S'pore urged to rethink invitation to Herzog. (1986, October 31). The Straits Times, p. 9; Yang Razali Kassim. (1986, November 7). Students object to Herzog visit. The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. Handshakes at the Istana under tight security. (1986, November 19). The Straits Times, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
8. We're open to negotiations – Herzog. (1986, November 20). The Straits Times, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
9. The Straits Times, 20 Nov 1986, p. 13.
10. The Straits Times, 20 Nov 1986, p. 13.
The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.