Multiple organisations are planning a protest outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia this Friday against President Nikos Christodoulides’s upcoming visit to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court.
The demonstration, scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 2, aims to condemn Cyprus’ diplomatic engagement with Netanyahu and express solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Organisers claim the visit violates international law obligations. “The Republic of Cyprus, as a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, is legally bound to cooperate fully with the ICC, including by arresting and surrendering to the Court any person against whom an arrest warrant has been issued,” the organisers said.
Netanyahu faces ICC arrest warrants for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Amnesty International recently concluded that genocide is being committed in Gaza, while the Doctors Without Borders have accused Israel of carrying out “ethnic cleansing”.
“Netanyahu is accused of serial violations of international law, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare, the deliberate targeting of civilians, the deprivation of basic goods from the people of Gaza and other inhumane acts that may constitute genocidal intent,” the organisers continued.
The planned bilateral agreements between Israel and Cyprus, primarily focused on energy cooperation, are being criticised as interactions that could “legitimise or prolong Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories” in violation of a recent International Court of Justice opinion.
Protesters will demand that Cyprus align its foreign policy with international law requirements and human rights principles, with slogans including “Not in our name” and “Free Palestine”.
The protest is being organised by Far-Right Watch Cy, Central Council EDON, KISA, afoa, Cyprus Peace Council, United for Palestine – Limassol, Genocide-Free Cyprus, DiEM25 Cyprus and Spirithkia.
The Green Party-Citizens’ Cooperation issued an announcement to support the demonstration and called for its members’ presence outside the Presidential Palace on May 2. “Cyprus, as a country that knows about occupation and human rights violations, cannot turn a blind eye to such actions,” it said.
