Cross-party MPs establish Cyprus chapter of Transatlantic Friends of Israel

Nicosia, Cyprus. MPs representing three parties have established a Cyprus chapter of Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI), with Diko leader Nikolas Papadopoulos serving as president. Papadopoulos said the initiative should strengthen cooperation in energy and defence.

Leadership and parliamentary backing

The chapter’s deputy leaders are George Karoullas of Disy, Charalambos Petrides of Diko and Sotiris Ioannou of Elam.

Together, the three parties control 33 parliamentary seats, giving the bloc the votes needed to approve resolutions and ratify international agreements supporting stronger relations with Israel.

Papadopoulos said all three parties considered the efforts of the current government and its predecessor to strengthen relations with Israel and the United States to have been entirely correct.

Regional security and defence cooperation

In comments to the Cyprus Mail, the Israeli embassy described the initiative as evidence of a robust, expanding partnership and widespread parliamentary backing for bilateral relations. It said cooperation involving Israel, Cyprus, Greece and the United States remained vital to security and prosperity across the Eastern Mediterranean.

Petrides, who served as defence minister between 2020 and 2023, said the relationship linking Cyprus, Israel and the United States had practical substance rather than being merely theoretical. He pointed to a defence dialogue with the US, the removal of the American arms embargo in September 2022 and cooperation with the New Jersey National Guard.

Ioannou said Turkey’s continuing aggressive conduct was a concern shared by the partners.

Role of the chapter

Benedetta Buttiglione of the AJC Transatlantic Institute said the chapter would provide a means of advancing cooperation through parliament.