Israel-linked group’s attempt to host event in Singapore fuels backlash

A planned fundraising gala by an Israeli group that was cancelled at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore has ignited a debate over how private venues should handle politically sensitive events, particularly amid global scrutiny of the war in Gaza.

The Friends of Israel Annual Aliyah Gala Dinner, organised by Keren Hayesod, was originally scheduled to be held at the five-star hotel on November 18. But the venue was quietly removed from the event’s website before the hotel confirmed on Tuesday that it would not be hosting the dinner.

Online backlash had begun circulating days earlier, with critics accusing Fullerton of “endorsing” Israel’s military actions in Gaza by allowing the event to take place. Some urged Singaporeans to file complaints or leave negative reviews, while others called for a broader boycott of the hotel.

“To hold such a celebratory event, particularly amid the ongoing catastrophe in Gaza, widely recognised as a genocide perpetrated by Israel, is both tone-deaf and morally indefensible,” one user wrote in a post shared on social media.

The hotel’s decision to pull out was met with praise from some quarters – but former nominated member of parliament Calvin Cheng slammed the move, saying it showed weakness and would alienate high net worth clients.

“It shows [Fullerton] is weak but more importantly, stupid. Instagram kids are not their target market,” Cheng wrote in a social media post on Tuesday. “On the other hand, a lot of wealthy people will be put off by this behaviour.”