Palestinian president Abbas expected in Cyprus on October 29

Nicosia, Cyprus. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is expected in Cyprus on October 29, provided no unforeseen circumstances prevent the visit. The anticipated agenda includes relations between the two sides, humanitarian conditions in Gaza and developments affecting the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Visit amid criticism of government policy

Abdallah Attari, the Palestinian ambassador to Cyprus, first disclosed the planned trip during an interview with Phileleftheros.

The visit comes amid criticism of the government for its growing backing of Israeli interests on the island. Akel has criticised six MPs representing Disy, Diko and Elam for establishing a Cyprus branch of the Israel Allies Foundation.

The party has argued that the initiative weakens Cyprus’s credibility as it seeks international pressure on Turkey over its continuing occupation.

Relations shaped by non-alignment

Ties between Cyprus and the Palestinians strengthened during the 1960s and 1970s. Archbishop Makarios redirected the island from an anticipated path towards NATO membership, taking it instead into the Non-Aligned Movement with Egypt and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

Killings in Larnaca and a planned voyage

In September 1985, three members of Force 17, a PLO unit, shot dead Israelis Reuven and Esther Paltsur and their friend Avraham Avneri on a yacht moored at Larnaca marina.

President Spyros Kyprianou denounced the killings and called on both parties to keep the conflict away from Cyprus. The Cypriot authorities refused Israel’s request to extradite the three gunmen and put them on trial in Cyprus instead. Days later, Israel bombed the PLO’s headquarters in Tunis.

In February 1988, the PLO purchased the Cypriot ferry Sol Phryne through an auction held in Limassol. It renamed the vessel Al Awda, meaning “the Return”, with plans to transport 135 Palestinian deportees to Haifa.