Akel criticises Disy, Diko and Elam over Israel parliamentary group

Nicosia, Cyprus. Akel has accused Disy, Diko and Elam of making parliament a lobbying platform for Israel by establishing a parliamentary group alongside the Israel Allies Foundation. In its Wednesday statement, Akel described the initiative as “extremely provocative” and without precedent in Cyprus’s parliamentary history.

Questions over Cyprus’s credibility

Akel questioned whether participation by Cypriot MPs was compatible with Cyprus’s opposition to Turkey’s occupation, saying that position was grounded in international law and United Nations resolutions.

The party also questioned the message conveyed by the initiative and whether Cyprus could credibly seek pressure on Turkey while supporting a state it characterised as another occupying power engaged in settlement activity.

Citing Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian land and settlement activity there, Akel referred to a conclusion by the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry that “genocide has been committed in Gaza”.

Akel added that even countries traditionally allied with Israel in the West were sanctioning officials serving in the Netanyahu government and advancing measures targeting illegal settlements.

Six MPs join the group

The parliamentary group comprises Diko MPs Andreas Apostolou and Chrysis Pantelides, Disy MPs George Karoullas and Charalambos Petrides, and Elam MPs Sotiris Ioannou and Marios Pelekanos.

Together, the three parties control 33 of parliament’s 56 seats, giving them a majority.

The initiative comes two weeks after MPs representing those same parties launched the Cyprus chapter of Transatlantic Friends of Israel.

Akel said the American Jewish Committee, the organisation behind the Transatlantic group, had organised a campaign seeking votes against resolutions and the abolition of UN mechanisms that it characterises as anti-Israel.