Protest groups gathered outside the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday afternoon to demand an immediate halt to all military and diplomatic cooperation with Israel, the US, Greece, and countries supporting the intervention in Iran.
The demonstration, organised by citizen movements and organisations, follows a surge in regional tensions and a drone strike on the British base at Akrotiri earlier this week. Markos Economou, representing United For Palestine – Nicosia, said one of the primary demands is the immediate removal of British bases from Cyprus.
The protest included participation from various groups, including ANATROPI, NEDA, BDS Cyprus, Genocide Free Cyprus, Far Right Watch, and Voices for Peace.
Economou said the central message from the various speakers was that the current conflict is not the result of a “mad world leader” attacking Iran, but rather a strategic attempt by the US to control global raw materials, particularly oil. He argued these actions are designed to limit the economic competitiveness of other nations, primarily China.
“As ordinary Cypriot workers, we believe we have nothing to gain from this competition between major economies,” Economou said. He added that the groups seek a global society governed by democracy, human rights, and peace.
A press release issued by the organisers called on President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos to sever all military ties with the “2+1” allies (Greece, Israel, and the US). The groups described the recent bombing of Iran by the US, UK, and Israel as “unjustified and merciless,” warning it has brought the Middle East to the brink of disaster.
The organisers claimed that Cyprus has become a military target because of the government’s desire to cooperate with allies on Eastern Mediterranean hydrocarbons. They further argued that the US intervention in Iran has nothing to do with democracy or nuclear non-proliferation, pointing to a lack of democracy in Gulf monarchies and what they described as the “apartheid state of Israel.”
A larger demonstration is planned for Saturday, with a march scheduled to proceed from the PASYDY building to the Presidential Palace.
