A group of legal professionals in Cyprus has called for the country to cease cooperation with Israel, citing recent rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The call was prompted by the expected arrival at the port of Limassol of the ship ‘Overseas Santorini,’ which is reportedly carrying jet fuel for Israeli fighter planes.
“The refuelling of the ‘Overseas Santorini’ inevitably makes Cyprus an aider and abettor in the Israeli army’s military operations which have already been judged to be a violation of international law,” a statement by the group reads.
It urges Cyprus and companies operating in the country to act on the ICJ opinions by ceasing all cooperation with Israel. It specifically calls for ships carrying materials for Israeli military use to be barred from docking in Cyprus.
The statement references the ICJ’s advisory opinion from 19 July 2024 on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. The opinion found Israel in violation of international law, including the right to self-determination of Palestinians and the prohibition of apartheid.
The group highlights the ICJ’s call for third states to refrain from providing aid or assistance that maintains Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian territories. This includes avoiding contractual relations and economic transactions with Israel concerning these areas.
The group also points to the ICJ’s interim decision in the case “South Africa v. Israel“, which found reasonable grounds for allegations of genocide against Palestinians by Israel.
It concludes by stating, “We refuse to be complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people.”
People in Cyprus mobilising against Overseas Santorini
Activists on the island have called for a mobilisation to block the arrival of the Overseas Santorini to Limassol.
The protest will take place on Friday, August 9, at 6 p.m. at Limassol’s Molos. The demonstration is backed by the trade union PEO.
It is part of an international initiative to block the ships from being serviced at Mediterranean ports, operating under the banner “No Harbour for Genocide”.
Left-wing opposition AKEL has also called on the government to prevent the vessel from docking or refuelling in Cypriot ports.
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