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Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Oren Anolik condemned what he called a “misleading campaign” distorting his recent remarks on antisemitism linked to statements by a Cypriot political leader.
In a post on X, Anolik clarified that his criticism targeted “specific antisemitic rhetoric used by a political party leader last weekend,” referring to AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou’s speech at the party’s congress. The ambassador emphasized, “That is what I condemned. Nothing more.”
Anolik quopted Stefanou saying that the party leader had warned against the '...uncontrolled sale of real estate to third-country nationals,' alleging the emergence of '...closed gated areas. Ghettos! By Israeli nationals. With the creation of Zionist schools and synagogues,' and spoke of a '...targeted policy of expansion of Israel in Cyprus.'
Anolik stressed the distinction between legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies and antisemitism. “ Since Hamas murderous attacks on October 7th, 2023, numerous statements in Cyprus have harshly criticized Israel, and I have never called them antisemitic, even if I completely disagree with what was said,” he wrote.
He added, “Disagreement and open public debate are the lifeblood of a democratic society. But targeting a community based on their identity has no place in it.”
In his initial Facebook statement, Anolik warned that, “What truly threatens social cohesion and democratic stability is the obsessive ongoing spread of made-up stories about 'Zionist plans'...is not political opinion; it is hate speech.”
The ambassador concluded his statement on X by urging Cypriots to see through the campaign’s distortions, emphasizing his support for open discussion about Israel. However, he said he will continue to speak out against false accusations and vilification of Jewish communities, stressing that such attacks go beyond legitimate criticism and amount to hate.
A misleading campaign is unfolding in Cyprus, deliberately distorting the clear statement I published on Wednesday (25/6).
— Oren Anolik (@OrenAnolik) June 28, 2025
In that statement, I condemned specific antisemitic rhetoric used by a political party leader last weekend.
He warned that Cyprus was being lost to…
