Several organisations protested outside the Presidential Palace on Thursday over the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Cyprus. The protest was organised by the Cyprus Peace Council.
In their speeches, participants criticised the Republic of Cyprus’s stance towards Israel, citing the war in Gaza, military cooperation between the two countries and the impact that, they argued, closer Cyprus-Israel ties could have on Cyprus’s security and the Cyprus issue.
Cyprus Peace Council president Tasos Kostea argued that the relationship with Israel does not serve Cyprus’s interests and that closer political and military ties between the two countries contribute to a more militarised approach in the region. He called on the Republic of Cyprus to apply the principles of international law to both the Cyprus and Palestinian issues.
Participants also called on Cyprus to maintain a role of peaceful cooperation in the region and avoid involvement in military planning.
A representative of the Palestinian community in Cyprus referred to the situation in Gaza and the West Bank and called for concrete action from the international community.
Representatives of several organisations also opposed further political and military cooperation between Cyprus and Israel. They argued that such cooperation does not strengthen Cyprus’s security and could increase the country’s involvement in regional rivalries.
Participants also called on Cyprus to maintain a role of peaceful cooperation in the region and avoid involvement in military planning.
Source: Kathimerini Cyprus
