Silent occupation: Are Zionists attempting to expand into Cyprus island?

In recent months, there have been claims surrounding the acquisition of tens of thousands of acres of land in Northern Cyprus, particularly by individuals associated with Israel.

Addressing these claims on November, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) is actively monitoring the situation.

These allegations "have been on our radar since my previous term. Since 2000, Israeli citizens have submitted slightly over 200 real estate purchase applications, placing them 12th among citizens of all countries,” Fidan clarified, in response to concerns.

However, it's crucial to note that this ranking only encompasses purchases made with Israeli passports, excluding Jewish individuals applying with passports from other countries.

According to Sabahattin Ismail, former advisor to TRNC President Rauf Denktas and former private secretary to the prime ministry, “thousands of Jews applying with Russian, Ukrainian, British, German and Turkish passports are recorded under different nationalities.”

Ismail asserts that three major construction companies, which belong to Israelis who later obtained TRNC citizenship, have the right to unlimited property acquisition, because they are officially registered as Turkish Cypriot companies.

These companies, namely Afik Group, Evergreen Developments Group and Eurocoast Group, have been involved in significant land acquisitions and construction projects, especially in areas facing Israel.

"These Jewish companies, which acquire thousands of acres of land, are registered as Northern Cyprus companies because they are not perceived as Israeli, making it impossible for the state to determine the actual amount of Israeli purchases," he explains.

'Israel's occupation plan'

Recent reports also indicate a surge in property acquisitions through companies established by foreigners. According to the country's laws, foreign companies can only acquire up to 500 square metres of land in the country.

However, if at least 51 percent of the shares of these companies belong to Turkish Cypriot citizens, they are exempt from this limitation, enabling them to acquire larger properties. This has raised concerns about these citizens potentially being used as fronts or proxies.

Couple months ago, the Cyprus Foundation issued a public warning regarding the threat posed by Israeli expansion in the region. In the statement highlighting “Israel's occupation plan is not limited to Palestine,” it was emphasised that the “promised lands” drawn by the Zionists include not only Palestine but also the island of Cyprus. Therefore, the significant land acquisitions by Zionists in Northern Cyprus in recent times pose a serious threat to stability in the region.

"We warn the Turkish Cypriot people about land sales to Zionists and invite them to put an end to this 'silent occupation'. As the Cyprus Foundation, rooted in national values, we express our willingness to cooperate with the governments of Türkiye and Northern Cyprus against this serious threat. Let Cyprus not become another Palestine!" declared the statement.

According to Ismail Bozkurt, a politician who is the former president of the Assembly of the TRNC, “there is a threat that cannot be overlooked anymore” regarding the growing Israeli presence in Cyprus island.

Asked about a possible long-term plan of Israeli presence in Cyprus, Bozkurt says "given Israel's historical expansionist policies dating back to its establishment, driven by the idea of the 'promised land,' and considering Cyprus has been a historical target for a hypothetical Jewish state, it can be considered as a great possibility that Israel has a long-term policy towards Cyprus”.

“In other words, Cyprus may be a target for a new Israel or a part of the existing one,” Bozkurt tells TRT World.

The issue is also on the agenda of the TRNC media, its politicians as well as the people. National Unity Party MP Yasemin Ozturk issued a stark warning that without urgent intervention, Northern Cyprus may face a destiny akin to Gaza and Palestine.

"Theodor Herzl, the founder of Zionism, once declared Cyprus as the second sacred homeland after Palestine. Benjamin Netanyahu also asserts that they align their goals with their holy books, aspiring for the ideal of 'the promised lands'. Consequently, our homeland is under significant threat, with Cyprus mirroring the events that unfolded in Palestine a century ago, hurtling towards a new catastrophe of displacement," Ozturk underlines.

While Israel seeks to increase its presence in Northern Cyprus, it continues to maintain its long-standing partnership and alliance with Southern Cyprus at the highest level.

Southern Cyprus – a safe haven for Israel

In Israel's recent war on Gaza, the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus openly expressed support for Israel, with Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides paying a visit to Tel Aviv in a show of support and solidarity.

While Israel continued its slaughter of the civilian population in Gaza, on the other hand, it simultaneously attempted to completely isolate the besieged enclave.

As reported by Israel Hayom newspaper, then-Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Greek Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos discussed the establishment of a maritime “humanitarian corridor” to deliver aid to Gaza through southern Cyprus.

Under this proposal, essential goods such as water, food, and medicine required for Gaza would be assembled in a designated zone at the Larnaca Port, undergo Israeli control, and then be transported to Gaza. The true motives behind this initiative, possibly extending beyond "humanitarian aid," remain a matter of curiosity.

“I have serious suspicions about the humanitarian rhetoric in the Israeli-Greek Cypriot agreement,” Bozkurt adds.

There have been concerns that the proposed maritime corridor plan between the Greek Cypriot Administration and Israel aims to disrupt Türkiye's aid and support to Gaza by further isolating the besieged enclave.

Recently, Israel has engaged in numerous collaborations with the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece on military and economic matters, including energy, security and defence cooperation.

Israel's Haaretz newspaper exposed that the US military was secretly supplying weapons to Israel using the UK base on Cyprus. Over 40 US transport aircraft, 20 British transport aircraft and seven heavy transport helicopters have flown to RAF Akrotiri, Britain’s vast base in Southern Cyprus, believed to be carrying equipment, arms and forces. Cargo planes then fled to Israel's Nevatim Airbase.

Declassified asked the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) what US aircraft were flying to Israel from its base in Cyprus – and what they were carrying. An MoD spokesperson refused to share information. However, it is believed the British government knows what is on the US planes.

“Nothing is surprising about the fact that Southern Cyprus has become a safe haven for Israelis fleeing Israel in the aftermath of Operation Al Aqsa Storm or that cargo planes taking off from the British base of RAF Akrotiri in the Greek Cypriot side are carrying ammunition and weapons to Israel on secret flights,” Bozkurt says.

“Everyone already knows that an 'Israel - Greek Cypriot Administration - Greece' alliance has emerged with the encouragement and patronage of the US,” he adds.

This alliance appears to be facilitated through Chabad, a Jewish organisation that operates in both southern and northern part of the island.

Chabad – architect of Israeli expansion in Cyprus?

An organisation with centres worldwide, Chabad seems to have a pivotal role in orchestrating Israeli expansion in Cyprus.

A quick glance at the Chabad's official website reveals traces of its activities and its mission to expand Jewish presence in Cyprus.

Rabbi Chaim Azimov, Chabad’s religious figure in TRNC, abruptly left the region to return to the US last week amidst a flurry of allegations that captured media attention. Azimov and his family lived in Northern Cyprus for years, but recent controversies prompted an unexpected exit of the organisation’s head.

Azimov was sent from the US in 2006 to form the pillar of Chabad in the TRNC. He allegedly sustained himself through real estate transactions and by enticing Israeli clients to local casinos. His social media posts urging Israelis to "buy houses and invest in TRNC" hint at his involvement in promoting planned Israeli land ownership in Northern Cyprus. Speculations even circulate that Azimov might have had associations with the Israeli Intelligence Agency Mossad.

“The interest of Jews in Cyprus and their increasingly significant amount of land purchases has been an issue for years and, especially in recent months, voices have been raised on this issue,” Bozkurt tells TRT World.

Bozkurt states that after recent concerns were raised in the press, “speaking at the Parliament on behalf of the TRNC government, the minister of interior announced that regulations and prohibitions will be introduced on this issue.”

“It is for a reason that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that the issue was being followed up by Turkish National Intelligence (MIT), and it is clear that this is an issue concerning both the island's security and stability in the region,” he added.