Singaporean Politician Goh Meng Seng Condemns Zionism as a ‘Distortion of Judaism’
SINGAPORE — Goh Meng Seng, a veteran Singaporean opposition figure and activist known for his outspoken views, has stirred controversy again with a scathing Facebook post targeting Zionism. The former National Solidarity Party leader, now a political commentator, didn't mince words as he framed Israel's Gaza campaign as both a geopolitical and moral failure.
His argument? That modern Zionism has weaponized Judaism's spiritual tenets to justify what he calls "racist apartheid colonialism."
“God’s Chosen People” – A Promise Misused?
Central to Goh’s post is the claim that Zionists have distorted the idea of Jews as “God’s Chosen People” into a doctrine of racial supremacy. “The Torah didn’t promise an eternal kingdom,” he writes, pointing to the rise and fall of ancient Israel as proof that divine favor isn’t a blank check for modern territorial expansion.
His critique takes sharper aim at Israel’s wartime conduct, accusing its leaders of abandoning the moral high ground. “How can a people chosen by God commit genocide?” he asks, invoking the Ten Commandments as a litmus test for ethical legitimacy.
Zionism vs. Judaism: A Deliberate Divide
Goh is careful to separate Zionism—the political movement behind Israel’s statehood—from Judaism itself. “Zionism isn’t about spirituality; it’s about power,” he argues, alleging that the ideology sanctions violence, land grabs, and systemic discrimination.
As evidence, he cites reports of non-Jews—Arabs, African migrants, even Christians—being barred from bomb shelters during attacks. “This isn’t faith,” he writes. “This is apartheid.”
Netanyahu’s War, Global Karma
The real villain, in Goh’s view, is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government he blames for the war’s escalation. But what’s striking is his framing of Iran’s retaliatory strikes as “karmic retribution,” echoing online sentiments cheering the attacks as payback for Gaza’s suffering.
He leans into Chinese philosophy to drive the point home: 遭天譴 (zāo tiān qiǎn)—divine retribution for those who defy morality.
A Warning to Supporters
For those backing Israel on religious grounds, Goh has a blunt message: “Your belief is misplaced.” True faith, he insists, demands righteousness—not blind allegiance to a state “committing crimes against humanity.”
The Bigger Question
Goh’s post taps into a growing global debate: Can a nation founded on survival justify actions that critics call oppressive? And when does political Zionism clash with universal ethics?
Singapore, typically neutral on Israel-Palestine, hasn’t officially responded. But as voices like Goh’s grow louder, his words may force a reckoning—not just abroad, but at home.
Whether you agree with him or not, Goh’s post is a lightning rod. In an era where social media shapes wars as much as weapons do, his words are more than opinion—they’re part of the battlefield.