Six lawmakers in Greek-administered Cyprus have established a local chapter of the Israel Allies Foundation, expanding parliamentary ties with Israel amid deepening defence cooperation, local media reported.
The so-called lawmakers represent the centre-right DISY, centrist DIKO and nationalist ELAM — the same parties that recently launched a related chapter of Transatlantic Friends of Israel, according to sources.
Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides faced backlash for receiving the group’s leadership.
The parliamentary initiatives come against a backdrop of expanding military cooperation between Israel, Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration.
In December 2025, Greek military officials said the three would increase joint air and naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean during 2026.
Türkiye has previously raised concerns over reports that the Greek Cypriot administration acquired an Israeli air defence system, warning that its armament efforts could undermine stability on the island.
Turkish Defence Ministry sources said Ankara was monitoring attempts to disrupt the balance on the island and taking measures to protect Turkish Cypriots.
The closer ties also come amid international scrutiny of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. In September 2025, a UN commission of inquiry concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces had committed four of the five genocidal acts defined under the Genocide Convention.
The commission urged states to stop transferring arms and military equipment to Israel.
Since October 2023, Israel has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and wounded over 175,000 others in Gaza.
Attacks by Israeli forces and occupiers against Palestinians and their property across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have also intensified since then.
