The municipality of Larnaca was unaware that a tree-planting ceremony scheduled by the Jewish Community of Cyprus on Sunday would honour US President Donald Trump, Mayor Andreas Vyras said.
The Mayor stated the municipality’s understanding was that the Jewish Community of Cyprus would proceed with the planting of 50 trees as part of its social and environmental contribution.
Vyras said: “The information we had was that the Jewish Community of Cyprus would proceed with the planting of 50 trees as part of its social and environmental contribution. They had not informed us that an event would be held, nor did we know that the tree planting would be in honour of the President of the United States, Donald Trump,” adding that they only learned of the purpose from the invitation sent to them.
Purpose and location
The invitation from the Jewish Community of Cyprus described the trees as “symbols of life and hope”—and that the event is organised “in honour of US President Donald Trump who helped in the release of the Israeli hostages and the signing of the truce agreement.”
The tree planting is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 23 November, at 11:00 am on Ioannis Kakridis Street, at the Vergina Secondary School, according to the invitation.
Vyras said the municipality did not grant permission for tree planting in honour of the American President. He noted that in a telephone conversation with the organisers, they had communicated that the municipality should have been informed of the purpose of the tree planting.
Public reaction and restrictions
The Mayor noted the issue has caused reaction, stating: “There are several reactions to the matter, as we received many phone calls from people who reacted and mentioned that there may be protests on the day of the tree planting.”
Vyras said the Jewish Community sent the municipality a letter on 17 October stating they would proceed with the planting of 50 trees in an area of the municipality. The letter also noted they expected the Municipality to grant approval and designate a suitable area for the planting.
Vyras explained that the municipality instructed the Jewish Community to conduct the tree planting on a traffic island located outside the Vergina Secondary School, and not inside the school, as stated in the invitation.
He added that the Jewish Community informed the municipality they would not proceed with the installation of any sign in the area.
Read more:
