Israel's Growing Influence in Cyprus: From Election Ads to Property Dominance

This summer, a billboard near Larnaca airport in Cyprus featured a Hebrew election poster for Israel’s October 27 vote, urging Israelis to "enjoy! Now come back and win!" The advertisement, for Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar Party, is believed to be the first foreign political campaign on Cypriot billboards. Melanie Steliou, a TV presenter and pro-Palestine activist, noted this signals a growing Israeli presence, with Cyprus just a 40-minute flight away, allowing citizens to vote in person. Steliou suggested this indicates Israeli politicians view Cyprus as an extension of Israel. This influence extends to Cyprus's parliament, where six Cypriot lawmakers formed a pro-Israel caucus on October 20, launched by the Israel Allies Foundation.

Cyprus has a history of absorbing foreign investment, with Limassol once known as "Limassolgrad" due to its Russian community. Historian Theodosis Pipis of KEDISA noted that while Russian investment in the early 2010s led to significant construction, it didn't foster the same sense of community as current Israeli investments. Last year, Israelis made nearly 600,000 trips to Cyprus, more than double the 2022 figure, according to CYSTAT. In August, Israelis constituted nearly a quarter of tourists, a 28.4 percent increase from 2025. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Israelis were the top foreign nationality purchasing property in the Larnaca district. The Israeli embassy in Nicosia estimates 15,000 to 20,000 Israelis consider Cyprus home, a significant increase from the 1,000 registered in the 2021 census.

Historically, Cyprus has seen influence from Venetians, Ottomans, and the British, and has been divided since Turkey's 1974 invasion. More recently, British retirees, Russian capital, and golden-passport buyers have invested in its property market. However, the speed, scale, and nature of Israeli investments, particularly amid the conflict in Gaza and on an island with pro-Palestine murals, have drawn attention. Investment from Israel surged more than sixfold between 2017 and 2024, reaching 5.1 billion euros ($5.9bn), according to the Central Bank of Cyprus, even as total foreign investment declined and Russian holdings decreased. Associate professor Nasia Hadjigeorgiou noted that while previous foreign investments like British and Lebanese buying were gradual, the Israeli push has been more sudden. She highlighted that this timing is sensitive, as Israel receives significant support from Nicosia while engaging in actions in Gaza that make many Cypriots uncomfortable.

Tensions have surfaced, with incidents like a person at an Israeli-owned restaurant confronting pro-Palestine protesters and an Israeli man defacing a mural honouring Gaza's children. Locals express discomfort with the presence of Israelis who have served in the military, with artist Giorgos Kyrou stating, "I feel my heart sink when I hear and see large groups of Israeli men here, knowing that they have served in the military and can commit genocide and then buy property." Others, like potter Ioannis Nestoras, feel Cypriot politicians are compromised by their close ties with the Israeli government, which he believes doesn't represent the Cypriot mentality.

Israeli investment appears concentrated in residential areas, including "gated communities," described by residents and academics as clusters of Israeli-owned properties seemingly closed off from the wider community. Israeli companies have reportedly acquired significant portions of the coastline near Larnaca for housing and hotels, and are involved in a large residential development in Dromolaxia-Meneou featuring amenities like a kindergarten and swimming pools. Some Cypriots fear being priced out of their own villages and urban centres. Historian Pipis believes that while he doesn't foresee an occupation scenario, a foothold in an EU member state offers Israel strategic safety. The establishment of a "Zionist school" by the Yael Foundation for up to 1,500 pupils, set to open in 2027, has also raised concerns, particularly regarding the application process for its construction. Additionally, Hadassah, a major Israeli hospital group, opened its first European medical centre in Limassol in July.

Stefanos Stefanou, leader of the AKEL Party, criticized the purchases, stating they were creating "gated communities" almost exclusively for Israeli nationals and that Israel was preparing a "backyard" in Cyprus, clarifying this was not due to xenophobia or anti-Semitism. Former Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Oren Anolik countered, accusing Stefanou of singling out the Jewish community. While Hadjigeorgiou acknowledged some exaggeration in claims of exclusivity, she confirmed some areas function as gated communities and noted that developments restricting access based on nationality could be unconstitutional under Cypriot law and the European Convention on Human Rights.

In western Cyprus, businessman Uriel Kertesz reportedly purchased a substantial portion of the abandoned village of Trozena and surrounding farmland, bypassing permit requirements in a protected area. Journalist Yiannis Pazouros noted that Kertesz, as an EU citizen, faced fewer restrictions on purchases. Despite public concerns about the village becoming exclusive, Kertesz has remained private about his plans. Graffiti expressing criticism of Israel, such as "Zionists not welcome," is visible across Cyprus, particularly in light of the conflict in Gaza. In August 2025, following a complaint by Israel's Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, the Interior Ministry ordered municipalities to remove such graffiti, which was done with notable speed in Limassol, leading to suspicions of orders from higher authorities. For many Cypriots, these developments are particularly poignant, as Hadjigeorgiou stated, "We are a population that has been displaced from our homes in what the government loudly and clearly describes as ethnic cleansing. And at the same time, we are allowing another group to do the same thing in the areas that the Republic of Cyprus controls."