Government spokesperson Pen Bona (left) rejects fake news which claimed two more Cambodians were killed in Hamas-Israel fighting. GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSONS UNIT
The government has refuted reports of further Cambodian casualties in Israel, attributing the spread of “false” information to an intention to “incite social unrest”.
Government spokesman Pen Bona, in an October 17 press release, asserted that the reports of additional Cambodian casualties were fabricated by opposition activists residing abroad in an attempt to mislead the public.
According to the statement, the more than 450 Cambodian students and interns currently in Israel are safe under the care of Israeli authorities and the owners of farms where they reside and work.
“The government places a high priority on the safety of these students and has established working groups from the foreign affairs, education and agriculture ministries, along with relevant institutions. These groups regularly visit the students, farm owners and Israeli authorities to ensure security and safety and to respond to any emergencies.
Bona told The Post on October 18 that certain opposition groups abroad had exaggerated the information with the aim of sowing social discord, a tactic he said was not a new approach to pursue political interests.
“In the case of opposition groups residing outside Cambodian jurisdiction, our primary duty is to provide accurate information to the public and offer a clear interpretation of the facts to prevent the dissemination of false information. Our commitment to truth is aimed at countering misinformation and upholding the government’s position,” he said, adding that the government will take appropriate actions against such groups.
Seun Sam, a policy researcher at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the Israel-Palestine conflict had a long history, and the Israeli government had consistently prepared to safeguard the well-being of individuals under their jurisdiction.
He also noted that if additional Cambodian citizens or students were to lose their lives, their identities would likely circulate on social media.
“The Cambodian and Israeli governments have diligently prioritised the safety of Cambodians residing in secure locations. The statements made by specific opposition groups were unsubstantiated. In interviews, Cambodian students conveyed that they were finding safe refuge,” he said.
Sam expressed that the Cambodian government has no benefit in concealing information about its citizens. If the lives of Cambodian citizens were lost, the government would disclose it to the public.
One Cambodian student died when Hamas launched coordinated attacks on Israel on October 7. The student was among over 450 Cambodians, the majority of whom are pursuing studies in agriculture in Israel.
