Another Singaporean youth has been detained by the Internal Security Act (ISA) today for planning an attack on Jews.

The 20-year-old full-time national serviceman, Amirull Ali, planned to use a knife to kill three Jewish men. He planned to attack them after they had left the Maghain Aboth Synagogue after their Saturday congregational prayers.

The young man was angered over the Israel-Palestine conflict. He assumed that the three Jewish men had done their national service in Israel and thus had performed violent acts on the Palestinians.

Amirull had put off his attacks twice as he was concerned he would not attain martyrdom should he be arrested and sentenced to death after the attack. He had even planned to travel to Gaza to join the military wing of the ruling faction to fight against Israel.

Higher Security in Places of Worship

Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam spoke at the synagogue today (10 Mar). Muslim and Jewish leaders had gathered there to stand against violence and show solidarity.

CNA reports that Mr Shanmugam noted that there will be an increase in security measures in places of worship “to balance off the risks that are increasing”.

He also added, “not all religious sites will have to be protected to the same level. Some face a higher threat level, and they may have to take some additional measures.”

He did not reveal which areas would have more or less protection but “the broad approach has got to be different religious sites carry different threat levels” and thus they will be secured accordingly.

Mr Shanmugam also reemphasised that places of worship should not be fortresses, referring to his stand on stepping up security after the planned Woodlands mosque attack.

“There may have to be some guards inside, but I think we need to be very, very careful how we do it. Otherwise, places of worship won’t look or feel like places of worship.”

Regarding Amirull’s actions, Mr Shanmugam expressed that as many in the Jewish community are Singaporeans, they would have done their NS here.

He also clarified that the young man was detained because of his intent to kill innocent people and not because he was aligned with the Palestinian cause.

Amirull’s actions would have devastating consequences on racial harmony had they been carried out.

“It will go beyond the loss of the three lives, or however many he managed to kill. It would probably incite a greater animosity, distrust, between different races and religions in Singapore,” said Shanmugam.

Decided and Planned Attack in Singapore

In July 2019, Amirull had decided to attack the Jews living in Singapore after watching a CNA documentary about their community here. According to the Internal Security Department (ISD), he was “enraged” that they were living peacefully in Singapore while Palestinians suffered overseas.

He decided to carry out his plans with a Smith & Wesson knife because he knew it would be difficult to procure a firearm here.

He did not attempt to influence others in his NS unit. Neither had any weapons been stolen from the storerooms or reinforced armouries in SAF camps.

Amirull prepared for the attack by practising stabbing motions and grip techniques with a replica knife. He also downloaded an image of the human vascular system to identify where he should stab his victims for a quick death.

He also carried out at least two reconnaissance trips to the Maghain Aboth Synagogue between August and October 2019. There, he found a spot where he could ambush his victims. Additionally, he downloaded pictures of the place instead of taking a photo so as to reduce suspicion.

He planned to use a white keffiyeh (scarf) to hide his face and would flee the scene and return home to post a short manifesto online.

In October, he had second thoughts about his plan as he was concerned about getting arrested here. This would prevent him from achieving martyrdom, which to him required fighting on a battlefield in Gaza.

He revisited his plans in December 2020 when he viewed a YouTube video of an unarmed and autistic Palestinian man being murdered by Israeli forces.

Amirull changed his plans to carry out his attack on Christmas Day instead and changed the white keffiyeh to a black ski mask—influenced by what the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (ABQ) forces wore in Gaza.

However, he once again put aside his plans due to his concern about his martyrdom, according to the ISD.

The ISD said that it will take firm action against any individual in Singapore who supports, promotes, undertakes, or makes preparations to undertake, armed violence, regardless of how they rationalise such violence, or where the violence takes place.

Highlighting the vital role of the public, the agency urged, “It is important for the public to remain vigilant to signs that someone around us may have become radicalised, so that we can intervene early to avert a tragedy.”

Quick Period of Self-Radicalisation

Mr Shanmugam said authorities pick up many cases of self-radicalisation because family members and friends alert them, and also because ISD has built up the capacity to pick up on these signs.

Unfortunately in Amirull’s case, his own family was unaware of his plans. Shanmugam warned that such individuals might fester in their self-radicalisation. Authorities don’t have enough time to detect such activity as it happens in a quick period.

“They see something in week one, by week three they feel angry and they want to go and do something,” he said.

For Amirull, it happened over a couple of years. Initially, he had developed an interest in the Israel-Palestinian conflict after viewing a video of Palestinian civilians being bombed by Israeli fighter jets.

This was in 2014.

He dug into the conflict online and concluded that the Palestinians were being oppressed by the Israelis, which intensified his hatred for Israel.

In 2015, he began supporting Hamas’ military wing, the ABQ, after reading a book that exalted their acts.

In 2018, he was in contact with a foreign acquaintance who encouraged him to join the military group. The ISD said that that was where he was told he would become a martyr if he fought against Israel. Amirull was the only Singaporean influenced by him.

Between mid-2018 and 2020, Amirull researched various travel routes to Gaza. He even constructed a replica of an AK-47 rifle and practised handling it.

The ISD said he planned to join the group after completing his full-time national service and when he had saved up enough money.

Investigations show that he had acted alone and has not influenced any other individuals or informed them about his plans.

Would not Affect the Strong Ties between the Jewish and Muslim Community

Singapore’s Chief Rabbi, Mordechai Abergel, said that the Maghain Aboth Synagogue is the most heavily attended synagogue in Singapore. He “dare not imagine what would have happened if this (attack) would have actually transpired”.

The synagogue is in the midst of upgrading its security facilities and has invested a large amount of effort and resources in doing so.

He also noted that it is crucial to have a message of “calm to [their] community so that there is no backlash or immediate negative reaction from the part of [their] members”.

Rabbi Abergel stated that the incident would not affect the strong ties between the Jewish and Muslim community. Leaders from both groups often take part in activities together and conduct regular meetings.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) chief executive Esa Masood echoed the Rabbi’s stand and reiterated that the Muslim community will not support radicalism and violence.

Regarding the protection of youth against radicalism, he pointed out that MUIS has been stepping up efforts to reach out to youths online, “to put out positive and correct teachings about Islam”.

Like what Mr Shanmugam said, Mr Esa expressed that communication with parents and friends are important in preventing such cases from arising. MUIS “do[es] hope that parents and communities can work together to guide our youths…in terms of issues that are affecting them.”

Featured Image: ISD