Editing Foreign relations of Israel (section)

=== Singapore ===
{{Main|Israel–Singapore relations}}

Singapore and Israel have maintained strong and mutually beneficial bilateral relations that are characterized by a close and amiable bond and amicable rapport, where the two nations have consistently cultivated a closely-knit and cordial relationship ever since their respective establishments. This is in part due to both countries' perception of themselves as diminutive yet affluent sovereign states and regional economic powerhouses surrounded by neighboring Islamic countries characterized by their comparatively underdeveloped societies, political instabilities, and economic struggles that have remained hostile to their continued existence in which oftentimes they have an uneasy relationship with.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/05/11/archives/diplomatic-ties-with-israel-established-by-singapore.html | work=The New York Times | title=Diplomatic Ties With Israel Established by Singapore | date=11 May 1969}}</ref><ref name="MalayWorld">{{cite book |title=Singapore in the Malay world: building and breaching regional bridges |author=Lily Zubaidah Rahim |isbn=9780203876107 |date=2010 |pages=2, 93–5 |publisher=Routledge |location=London }}</ref> Following Singapore's sudden and unexpected [[Independence of Singapore Agreement 1965|independence]] after being unilaterally ejected from Malaysia in 1963, Singapore appealed to the international community for technical assistance and military aid. Israel responded by assisting the Southeast Asian city-state with the establishment of [[Singapore Armed Forces|Singapore's armed forces]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 28, 2015|title=Israel, S'pore perfect examples of what small nations can achieve|work=[[Today (Singapore newspaper)]]}}</ref> Both countries formally established diplomatic relations in May 1969, although unofficial and discrete relations were already established several years prior, particularly with regards to military activities. Singapore and Israel are also known to share a [[Special relationship (international relations)|special relationship]] where they both enjoy an extensive bilateral security partnership, with Israeli and Singaporean arms contractors such as [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] and [[ST Engineering]] collaborating and engaging in joint venture developments and facilitating a large level of arms trade between the two countries.<ref name="HaaretzMar20">{{cite news |last1=Oppenheimer |first1=Shaina |title='A Life-and-death Matter': How Israel Helped Singapore When It Needed It Most |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-the-lion-city-and-the-start-up-nation-how-israel-helped-singapore-1.8676074 |access-date=7 August 2021 |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=16 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="Israel Shows Wares in Singapore">{{citation|title = Israel Shows Wares in Singapore|url = http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/singapore-air-show/2012-02-13/israel-shows-wares-singapore|publisher = Aviation International News|author = David Donald|date = 14 February 2012|access-date = 5 March 2012|archive-date = 20 October 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141020020157/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/singapore-air-show/2012-02-13/israel-shows-wares-singapore|url-status = dead}}</ref> Over the years, Israel has continued to advise Singapore on an array of military affairs, ranging from night operations to aviation psychology. The defense and intelligence establishments of both countries conduct routine exchanges of information, and a small number of Israeli Defense Force officers serve in staff appointments within the Singapore [[Ministry of Defence (Singapore)|Ministry of Defence]] (MINDEF).<ref>Tim Huxley, Defending the Lion City: The Armed Forces of Singapore</ref> In 2012, it was reported that Singapore expressed interest in purchasing several [[Iron Dome]] defence system units and a deal took place in 2016.<ref>{{cite web | last=Alster | first=Paul | title=Behind the Iron Dome: Key engineer tells how Israeli defense system saved lives | website=Fox News | date=2012-12-02 | url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/behind-the-iron-dome-key-engineer-tells-how-israeli-defense-system-saved-lives/ | access-date=2018-03-07}}</ref>