Israel Allies Caucuses launched in the Greek and Cypriot parliaments, with a message to Ankara: “Turkey has no veto over our alliances”

The Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) has established parliamentary groups of friends of Israel (Israel Allies Caucus) in the Hellenic Parliament and in the Cypriot House of Representatives, aiming at a closer strategic partnership between Greece, Cyprus and Israel. The Greek group was presented in Parliament on Tuesday, October 13, and the Cypriot one in the “Pentadaktylos” hall of the House in Nicosia on Wednesday, October 14.

The co-chairs of the Greek group are MPs Konstantinos Tsiaras and Charis Theocharis. The Cypriot group is chaired by DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelides, and is a cross-party initiative of six MPs from three parties. According to the report, the groups will promote parliamentary support for broader cooperation in security, energy and technology, and the fight against antisemitism, extremism and boycotts of Israel.

The sharpest words concerned Turkey. “Turkish threats must be met with solidarity, not silence. Ankara has no veto over our cooperation or our security,” said the IAF’s executive director for Europe, Leo van Doesburg. “Greece, Cyprus and Israel must stand shoulder to shoulder, ready to defend their sovereignty, protect their common interests and stand firm against intimidation in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he added. In his view, the trilateral cooperation promotes shared security, energy cooperation and regional stability.

“The establishment of the group in Greece comes at a decisive moment for the whole region. As we face growing security challenges, such as Islamic radicalism, Greece, Cyprus and Israel are linked by common strategic interests and deep historical and cultural ties,” said Konstantinos Tsiaras. Eirini Karypidi, CEO of Amani and president of PAE Aris, serves as director of the Greek group.

Chrysis Pantelides emphasised the occupation. “Cyprus remains half-occupied by Turkey for 52 years, while Israel is constantly targeted by Iran and the terrorist organisations it controls, which also enjoy Turkey’s support,” he said. Before the presentation in Nicosia, the IAF delegation met President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace. The ambassadors of Israel to Athens and Nicosia attended the events, and in Nicosia also the US ambassador.

“Three ancient nations with deep roots in the Bible and in Western civilisation stand together again,” said IAF president Josh Reinstein. The move comes at a time when Ankara has launched direct broadsides against Greece, Cyprus and Israel, while Israeli officials describe the cooperation of the three countries as a strategic barrier against Turkey.