Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong arrived in Israel on Monday. Photo: World Economic Forum.

JNS.org – Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong arrived in Israel on Monday for an official four-day visit. Lee decided to make the historic trip after being invited to Israel by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Lee is the first Singaporean prime minister to visit Israel since Singapore was founded 51 years ago. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1969. Lee is being accompanied on his trip by his wife as well as a 60-member delegation that includes Singapore’s foreign minister, environment and water resources minister, and home affairs minister.

Netanyahu and Lee will meet at a formal ceremony in Jerusalem. Netanyahu and his wife Sara will then host Lee and his wife for dinner at the Prime Minister’s Residence.

Lee’s Jerusalem itinerary includes a meeting with Netanyahu as well as stops at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, the Shrine of the Book, the Old City of Jerusalem, and Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he will receive an honorary doctorate.

Netanyahu’s office said on Sunday, “Israel-Singapore relations have been characterized by a brave friendship that began during the tenure of Singapore’s founder, first prime minister, and father of the current prime minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew. The two countries enjoy cooperation in a variety of fields. A bilateral cooperation agreement — on international aid, especially joint assistance to third countries — was signed today.”