International
Asia Pacific
EMEA
North America
Latin America
On 21 November 2025, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the imposition of targeted financial sanctions and entry bans against four Israeli settlers, which the Ministry states is for their “involvement in acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank."
On the same day, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued a notice setting out the sanctions measures and details of these designated individuals. Pursuant to the notice, Singapore financial institutions are prohibited from, directly or indirectly, establishing any business relations with, transacting with, providing financial assistance or services to, or transferring any funds, financial assets or resources to these designated individuals. Singapore financial institutions are also required to immediately freeze any funds, financial assets, or resources belonging to these designated individuals that are in the institutions' possession, custody, or control, and ensure that none of such funds, financial assets, or resources are made available for the benefit of these designated individuals.
Businesses should update their internal screening processes to reflect the new sanctions measures. Although the Notice does not impose direct obligations on businesses other than financial institutions, any transactions involving such designated individuals that are processed through a Singapore financial institution (including payments to or from such individuals) will be blocked.
Further, while the scope of the current measures appears limited and does not impose direct obligations on non-financial institutions, they underscore Singapore's increasing readiness to move beyond adopting UN Security Council resolutions and to implement autonomous sanctions as part of its foreign policy approach.
* * * * *
© 2025 Baker & McKenzie. Wong & Leow. All rights reserved. Baker & McKenzie. Wong & Leow is incorporated with limited liability and is a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a global law firm with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organizations, reference to a "principal" means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an "office" means an office of any such law firm. This may qualify as "Attorney Advertising" requiring notice in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Copyright © 2025 Baker & McKenzie. All rights reserved. Ownership: This documentation and content (Content) is a proprietary resource owned exclusively by Baker McKenzie (meaning Baker & McKenzie International and its member firms). The Content is protected under international copyright conventions. Use of this Content does not of itself create a contractual relationship, nor any attorney/client relationship, between Baker McKenzie and any person. Non-reliance and exclusion: All Content is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal and regulatory developments. All summaries of the laws, regulations and practice are subject to change. The Content is not offered as legal or professional advice for any specific matter. It is not intended to be a substitute for reference to (and compliance with) the detailed provisions of applicable laws, rules, regulations or forms. Legal advice should always be sought before taking any action or refraining from taking any action based on any Content. Baker McKenzie and the editors and the contributing authors do not guarantee the accuracy of the Content and expressly disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or permitted to be done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the Content. The Content may contain links to external websites and external websites may link to the Content. Baker McKenzie is not responsible for the content or operation of any such external sites and disclaims all liability, howsoever occurring, in respect of the content or operation of any such external websites. Attorney Advertising: This Content may qualify as “Attorney Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. To the extent that this Content may qualify as Attorney Advertising, PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME. Reproduction: Reproduction of reasonable portions of the Content is permitted provided that (i) such reproductions are made available free of charge and for non-commercial purposes, (ii) such reproductions are properly attributed to Baker McKenzie, (iii) the portion of the Content being reproduced is not altered or made available in a manner that modifies the Content or presents the Content being reproduced in a false light and (iv) notice is made to the disclaimers included on the Content. The permission to re-copy does not allow for incorporation of any substantial portion of the Content in any work or publication, whether in hard copy, electronic or any other form or for commercial purposes.
Are you sure want to delete comment ?
Scan this QR Code to share this content
