Protest held in Cyprus against Israeli President Herzog’s visit
A protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog took place near the presidential palace in Cyprus. According to Cyprus Mail, the demonstration passed without incident on Thursday evening, when Herzog was being received by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
Protest near the presidential palace
The protest was organized by the Cyprus Peace Council and other anti-war groups. Several dozen people took part. Demonstrators were allowed to gather near the wall surrounding the presidential palace; they held Palestinian flags.
The organizers described Herzog’s visit as a “huge provocation,” citing Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as its campaigns in Lebanon, Syria and Iran. They called on the public to join the protest to state that the Israeli president was not a welcome guest in Cyprus.
A small number of police officers were on duty at the site. Protest participants held placards in English reading: “Complicit in genocide – resign” and “Stand up for Palestine”.
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Statements by participants and Herzog’s words
During the protest, one of the speakers read out a statement criticizing the reception of Israel’s political leadership at the presidential palace. He also claimed that Israel does not care about Cyprus, is not interested in resolving the Cyprus issue and will never liberate Cyprus.
The publication also recalled statements made by Herzog after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Speaking about Gaza’s residents, he said that “an entire nation” bore responsibility and rejected claims that civilians did not know about the attack or were not involved in it.
South Africa used these words in its case before the International Court of Justice, in which it accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel denies the accusation. Last year, a special UN commission of inquiry stated that Herzog’s words did not directly call for the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, but could reasonably be interpreted as incitement. Herzog responded that his words had been taken out of context and noted that many Palestinians do not support Hamas.
