Greek Cypriots Protest Israeli President Herzog’s Visit Amid Gaza Conflict

Protests erupted in front of the presidential palace in Lefkosa, the capital of the Greek Cypriot administration, as Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with President Nikos Christodoulides. Demonstrators, waving Palestinian flags and holding anti-Israel banners, voiced their discontent over Herzog’s visit, according to local media reports from *Phileleftheros*.

Chanting slogans such as “Stop the genocide,” “Long live the friendship of the peoples,” and “No to imperialist wars,” protesters condemned the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and criticized their administration for hosting Herzog.

Melanie Stelios, a protest leader, declared that Herzog was unwelcome in Greek Cyprus.

The demonstrations come amid ongoing global outrage over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have reportedly killed over 46,000 people, primarily women and children, since October 7, 2023. Despite a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, the Israeli military has continued its operations in the region.

Israel faces mounting international scrutiny, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is being tried for genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Herzog’s visit to Greek Cyprus, which seeks to strengthen bilateral ties, has instead highlighted divisions within the Greek Cypriot population over the government’s stance on Israel. The protests signal growing solidarity with Palestine in the region and reflect widespread discontent over perceived complicity with Israeli actions.

The situation underscores increasing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean as global leaders face pressure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.