Israel’s Land Grab in Cyprus Rings Alarm Bells Amid Regional Turmoil

According to Saed News, a notable influx of Israeli citizens has recently been acquiring substantial tracts of land across Cyprus, particularly in the aftermath of intensified hostilities between Iran and Israeli-occupied territories. This phenomenon, reported extensively by Cyprus’s leading Greek-language daily Politik, raises pressing questions about the motives behind this land rush and the implications for Cyprus’s national security and political landscape.

The Politik report, expressing skepticism regarding the long-term objectives of these acquisitions, suggests that Cyprus is increasingly perceived by many Israelis as a “promised land” alternative. Since the recent military exchanges with Iran, over 15,000 Israelis have reportedly purchased property on the island, signaling a significant demographic and economic footprint. The activities of the Chabad movement, a well-known Zionist religious group, remain conspicuously active in the region, reinforcing perceptions of an organized expansion.

The paper further notes a gradual progression towards the establishment of quasi-independent Israeli settlements, which some argue serve as a strategic haven amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Cyprus’s territory, thus, risks becoming a backyard refuge, effectively extending Israeli influence beyond its traditional borders.

Voicing the alarm, Stephanos Stephano, Secretary-General of the left-wing Akel party, decried the unchecked land acquisitions, warning that Cyprus is slowly slipping out of its own hands. “Israel is occupying our land, without any oversight,” he asserted during the party’s recent general conference. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, highlighting Israeli purchases in sensitive areas that jeopardize Cyprus’s national security. According to Stephano, Israelis have established schools, synagogues, and significant economic centers on Cypriot soil, consolidating their presence and infrastructure.

Compounding the situation, it has been reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following brief visits to Israeli-occupied territories during the Iran conflict, spends much of his downtime in Cyprus—underscoring the island’s emerging strategic importance for Israeli elites.

This developing dynamic introduces new layers of complexity to the Eastern Mediterranean’s geopolitical fabric, prompting concerns over sovereignty, security, and the broader implications for regional stability as Cyprus navigates these uncharted waters.