AKEL condemns formation of pro-Israel parliamentary group in Cyprus

The party has also questioned the use of parliamentary facilities for the group’s launch and called for greater transparency over its funding and activities.

The controversy began after six MPs from the right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY), the Democratic Party (DIKO) and the far-right National Popular Front (ELAM) established a Cypriot chapter of the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF). The MPs are Andreas Apostolou and Chrysis Pantelides of DIKO, George Karoullas and Charalambos Petrides of DISY, and Sotiris Ioannou and Marios Pelekanos of ELAM. The initiative followed the creation of a Cypriot chapter of Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI), a network associated with the American Jewish Committee.

In a statement published on 15 October, AKEL described the initiatives as “extremely provocative” and unprecedented in the history of the Cypriot parliament. 

AKEL also criticised the political support given to Israel by the government of President Nikos Christodoulides and the three parties involved. Referring to Israel’s occupation and settlement policies in Palestinian territories and the war in Gaza, the party argued that Cyprus undermines its international credibility if it demands respect for international law in its own case while supporting policies it considers violations of the same principles elsewhere.

On 19 October, AKEL parliamentary spokesman Giorgos Loukaides escalated the dispute by writing to House President Annita Demetriou. He requested clarification on who had authorised the use of the Pentadaktylos conference room for the group’s launch, on what grounds permission was granted, who paid for the event and what commitments the participating MPs had undertaken. He also proposed that the House’s institutions committee examine whether parliamentary rules adequately regulate MPs’ participation in international networks promoting the interests of third countries, including requirements for disclosure of funding and the use of parliamentary resources.

DISY rejected AKEL’s criticism, defending cooperation with Israel as a strategic choice linked to Cyprus’s security and international position. The party accused AKEL of opposing Cyprus’s Western orientation, while DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelides, who heads the IAF’s Cypriot chapter, said members were covering their own expenses and denied that the group received financial support from the foundation.