In case you can’t see the image below, the text from a post by TOC on Facebook reads:
Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan faced heavy criticism after posting photos of his meeting with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his Middle East visit from 3–6 November. While he highlighted discussions on Gaza, humanitarian aid, Trump’s 20-point plan, and a two-state solution, many Singaporeans on social media called the handshake “embarrassing” and “insensitive,” noting Netanyahu’s ICC investigation for alleged war crimes. Critics argued that Singapore’s diplomatic gestures should prioritise moral clarity and humanity over politics, stressing justice, accountability, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
I find that headline a bit presumptuous because as you know, I’m a Singaporean and I’m definitely not a PAP supporter, but I’m totally with our government on this issue. Do folks on the woke side of things realise who Israel is up against? They should get out of their ivory towers and stop preaching from their moral high horses when they won’t survive a single day in Israel’s shoes.
Incidentally, Heidoh.com is owned by alternative media producer Terry Xu who is currently living in self-imposed exile in Taiwan. To be clear, I often lend my support to folks like Terry Xu and cut them some slack when they make mistakes. They are often one-man shows and don’t have the “abutment” of organisations like SPH. I have forgiven him for removing a link I shared on TOC. However, I always reserve the right to withdraw my support when they change course. Look at Mothership.
Started by a repentant George Yeo after losing Aljunied GRC, Mothership was initially somewhat critical of the PAP government. But towards GE2020, it started to change course, becoming no different from another online newsPAPer. It may not seem likely that TOC will go that way, but Terry Xu may be so eager to seize every opportunity to smear the PAP, so much such that he becomes another Greta Thunberg.
After seeing that awful headline on heidoh.com, it appears that Terry Xu might be trying to hitch a ride on the Palestinian bandwagon. This is where TOC or Heidoh may lose my support. Terry Xu is trying to gain support from virtue-signalling people. For sure it’s not behaving like a newsPAPer, but either out of ignorance or a deliberate attempt to attract fans and followers from the woke clan, TOC is not getting into my good books.