Cypriot lawmaker slams Eisenkot billboards ahead of Israeli election

Cypriot politician Fidias Panayiotou has criticized Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's billboard campaign displayed in Cyprus, labeling it as political propaganda and a threat to national sovereignty. Panayiotou, a member of the European Parliament, took to X/Twitter to voice his concerns, stating that the billboards, featuring Eisenkot's photo and the message "Israelis, enjoy! You deserve it," were not taken in Israel but in his country.

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This photo was not taken in Israel, but in my country, Cyprus. This time it is political propaganda, but it is also becoming increasingly common to see billboards advertising real estate in Hebrew across the island.

Panayiotou highlighted that such political advertisements, alongside a growing number of real estate billboards in Hebrew, are becoming increasingly prevalent on the island. He asserted, "This is simply not right. We must defend Cyprus's sovereignty." The billboards are strategically placed around the airport, visible to arriving and departing travelers.

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This is simply not right. We must defend Cyprus's sovereignty.

Eisenkot's office stated that the campaign is intended to convey a positive message to Israelis about achieving victory in the upcoming elections, scheduled for October 27. The campaign is expected to expand into other countries during the summer. This initiative aims to bolster support for the Yashar party leader ahead of the Israeli elections.

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The relationship between Israel and Cyprus is built on a foundation of shared values, mutual respect, and a strong friendship.

This is not the first time Panayiotou has raised concerns about an Israeli presence in Cyprus. In May, he expressed alarm over what he perceived as Israel's aggressive land purchases through real estate acquisitions and development projects. Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Oren Anolik responded to Panayiotou's earlier comments, describing them as "deeply concerning" and accusing him of fueling antisemitism with "baseless" remarks that carry "an undertone of prejudice." Anolik emphasized the strong foundation of shared values and mutual respect in the relationship between Israel and Cyprus.

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When political discourse utilizes age-old stereotypes regarding 'foreign economic power' to incite fear, it enters dangerous territory.