Washington, United States. A leading American Jewish organisation has called for the United States to permanently lift its arms embargo on Cyprus, saying the island’s security is now central to stability in the Levant.
Call to remove restrictions
In a joint article published in Kathimerini, American Jewish Committee chief executive Ted Deutch and Hellenic American Leadership Council executive director Endy Zemenides said Washington should move to definitively remove the restrictions.
They said Cyprus has become an increasingly important strategic partner for the United States and its allies.
Regional security concerns
Deutch and Zemenides wrote that Cyprus’ security and its role as a factor of stability in the region are linked to efforts to counter terrorist networks supported by the Iranian regime.
The article cited threats previously issued by former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who in 2024 warned that Cyprus could be considered “part of the war” if Israeli military operations against Lebanon were launched from the island.
Strategic location and cooperation
The authors said recent developments mean such warnings can no longer be treated as hypothetical, referring to incidents involving Iranian activity near British military facilities on Cypriot territory.
They said Cyprus’ geographical location, roughly 235 miles from Israel, places it at the centre of cooperation linking Europe and the Middle East.
They also said Cyprus has been involved in evacuation efforts, humanitarian missions and energy cooperation with regional partners including Greece and Israel.
Background on the embargo
The United States imposed an arms embargo on Cyprus in 1987 in an effort to encourage reunification of the island after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Deutch and Zemenides said the policy instead pushed Cyprus to procure alternative weapons systems, including Russian equipment, limiting deeper defence cooperation with western partners.
What steps, if any, should the United States take to change its arms policy toward Cyprus?