Cyprus Mail has published an editorial piece complaining that Greek Cypriots are losing their sovereignty to Israel. The paper criticized government for its silence.
According to the newspaper, the government’s refusal to deny reports about Israeli security personnel operating at Larnaca Airport suggests that the claims might be true, raising concerns about Cyprus potentially relinquishing control of its main airport to a foreign state. Only Akel, the opposition party, has questioned this issue, but the government has not provided any answers, increasing public suspicion.
Deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou avoided directly addressing the matter, merely stating that flights to and from Cyprus remain safe. Meanwhile, Israel’s embassy in Nicosia denied issuing any security warnings to Israeli citizens in Cyprus and dismissed false reports about the Israeli ambassador being kidnapped, which may have distracted from the airport security concerns.
The presence of Israeli security personnel at Larnaca Airport is a significant issue that the government appears to be downplaying. Allowing Israeli agents access to sensitive areas, such as the air traffic control tower, is not only unwise but also a potential loss of national sovereignty. The government must consider that Israeli security forces act primarily in Israel’s interests, which may not always align with those of Cyprus.
This situation also implies a lack of confidence in Cyprus’s own security services. If Israel’s expertise was needed, the government could have sought guidance rather than allowing Israeli agents unrestricted access. If Israel insisted on using its own personnel instead of collaborating with Cypriot authorities, cooperation should have been reconsidered. The overall handling of this issue gives the impression that Cyprus is subordinate to Israel, raising further questions about the nature of their relationship.
Source: Cyprus Mail
