Hector Georgiou
It was shortly before the end of July when campaign billboards featuring a particular Israeli politician appeared along highways across the Republic of Cyprus.
Gadi Eisenkot, founder of the Yashar party and former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, had chosen Cyprus as one of the locations for his election campaign. His aim was to reach Israelis travelling abroad for their summer holidays and others living outside the country, as Cyprus is a popular destination for Israeli visitors.
The billboard that prompted the controversy read, "Israelis, have a good time. You deserve it.”
Eisenkot’s move sparked local criticism, both within Cyprus’ political circles and on social media, with many members of the public speaking out against it.
The incident appears to have exposed a gap in the law. As a result, Giannis Laouris, a Nicosia MP with Direct Democracy Cyprus, has submitted a bill seeking to ban such advertisements.
The proposal was submitted to Parliament on Thursday, Sept. 17, and is expected to be referred to the House Interior Committee for discussion. The committee will then decide whether it should be sent to the plenary for a vote.
The bill seeks to amend the Control of Advertisements Law by banning the use of outdoor billboards and other advertising structures for campaigns connected to elections held outside the Republic, in other words, elections taking place in other countries.
According to Laouris, the amendment is necessary to limit the uncontrolled use of outdoor advertising space for political campaigning and the promotion of candidates taking part, or intending to take part, in foreign elections.
