Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Defence (Mindef) have issued a joint warning stating that involvement with organizations linked to the Israeli military, particularly the volunteer program Sar-El, is “not acceptable” under current conditions and could result in legal consequences.
What Prompted the Warning#
The government statement came after social media users resurfaced an old blog post by a Singaporean citizen that encouraged volunteering with Sar-El. The blog, originally written around 2018 or 2019, had been taken down in 2025 but was recently reposted by other users. At least one social media user questioned why the author had been encouraging others to join as IDF volunteers in Israel.
According to the ministries, the blog’s author and his father had volunteered with Sar-El for approximately two weeks in December 2016.
What Is Sar-El?#
Sar-El (Volunteers for Israel) is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 during the Lebanon War by Dr. Aharon Davidi, a former IDF Paratrooper Corps commander. The program sends civilian volunteers from around the world to work on IDF bases in non-combat support roles, such as packing supplies, sorting materials, and performing maintenance tasks.
The organization’s website states it is “deeply committed to supporting the IDF,” and that its volunteers “work side-by-side with soldiers on IDF bases.” Since its founding, over 160,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries have participated in one-to-three-week programs.
Legal Implications for Singaporeans#
The joint statement made clear that participation in such organizations carries real legal risk: “Action will be taken under our laws against anyone whose involvement in such activities is found to be prejudicial to Singapore’s national security and interests.”
Singapore maintains strict laws around military service through its Enlistment Act, which requires male citizens and permanent residents to complete National Service. The city-state also takes a careful approach to its foreign policy, maintaining balanced relations across the Middle East.
Broader Context#
The warning reflects growing scrutiny across Southeast Asian governments regarding their citizens’ involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Singapore has historically maintained diplomatic relations with Israel while also supporting Palestinian statehood, walking a careful line in a region with significant Muslim-majority populations.
For the Asian diaspora in Israel, this development is a reminder that volunteering with military-adjacent organizations can have legal ramifications back home, even for programs marketed as civilian and non-combat in nature.
Source: South China Morning Post
