Source: CNA
With slogans like "Freedom for Palestine" and "Cyprus-Palestine-solidarity," hundreds of members of the Pancyprian Peace Council and other citizens gathered on Thursday afternoon outside the Presidential Palace to express their protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.
Taking the floor first, actress and artist Melani Stelio stated that "the President of Israel is not welcome in Cyprus" and that "the Cypriot people say no to cooperation with the pariah and apartheid state of Israel."
Doctor and poet Andreas Chrysanthou, for his part, said that "for the state of Israel, human life does not matter" and added that "it is a disgrace for Cyprus, which has experienced invasion, occupation, fascist violence, and terrorism," to welcome the head of a state "that has killed 45,000 people in Gaza."
Actress Christina Christofia recited the poem "If I Must Die" by Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in December 2023. She said, "The Cypriot people do not accept this crime being committed in their name."
Member of the Pancyprian Peace Council Maria Chrysanthou stated that while in Cyprus we talk about 50 years of occupation and the crimes committed, "we see the crimes before us and remain silent," while the Secretary-General of EDON, Seviiros Koulas, said that "the gatherings of President Christodoulides with the Israeli President cannot be made in the name of the Cypriot people."
An artistic program followed, amidst continuous slogans in support of the Palestinian people and against Israeli operations in Gaza.
Present at the gathering were members of parliament, political party officials, members of civil society organizations, and artists.
