A sharp rise in Israeli real estate acquisitions across Cyprus has sparked growing concern over national sovereignty and affordability, with political debate intensifying after a recent congress by AKEL, Cyprus’ second-largest party, where criticism of the purchases was quickly met with accusations of antisemitism, a familiar Israeli tactic to silence legitimate scrutiny.

Party leader Stefanos Stefanou warned of what he called a growing “national security threat,” citing Israeli land purchases near sensitive sites and highlighting a coordinated effort, led by the buyers, to establish closed communities, Zionist schools, and influence over key economic sectors.

“If we don’t take effective action now, one day we’ll find that this country is no longer ours,” he stressed, urging government intervention.

Stefanou rejected claims of xenophobia following his reference to historical parallels with how Israelis settled the land of Palestine after occupying its territories. This instantly drew backlash, with critics waving the antisemitic card, again, though supporters argue his comments reflected concerns over sovereignty, not ethnicity, and were aimed at highlighting patterns of unregulated land acquisition.

Diplomatic, electoral context

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In a first for Cyprus, Palestinian Ambassador Abdullah Atari addressed the AKEL congress, signaling deepening regional alliances and political maneuvering as parliamentary elections approach in June. AKEL, known for its longstanding opposition to Israeli policies, has intensified its criticism following the genocidal Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

Observers note that criticism of Israeli policy has increasingly been met with accusations of antisemitism, with some critics arguing that legitimate political concerns are being rhetorically neutralized by invoking collective victimhood.

AKEL pushes back

AKEL party representatives responded by asserting that criticism of Israeli policy is too often dismissed as antisemitism, especially when raised by pro-Palestine voices or left-leaning groups. They claimed that Anolik’s remarks misrepresented the party’s stance, which focuses on human rights, not ethnic identity. The ambassador later clarified that his comments targeted Stefanou’s specific language, not AKEL’s broader position on Gaza.

This exchange reflects a recurring pattern in international discourse, in which allegations of antisemitism are perceived by critics as tools to deflect scrutiny, particularly regarding "Israel’s" foreign investments and military conduct.

TikTok fuels the controversy

One viral clip shows a man impersonating an ultra-Orthodox Jew, declaring in Hebrew: “God promised us Cyprus after Israel,” while saying that Israelis are buying up property “non-stop". Another shows him replying to a question about “stealing homes” with the line: “If we don’t steal them, someone else will,” as Hava Nagila plays in the background. A third video features the same character in a prayer shawl stating, “Cyprus was promised to us 3,500 years ago; finally, I’m home.”

These posts tap into a growing online grievance that Israeli investors are driving up real estate prices and displacing locals, with one widely shared claim asserting, “Cypriots can’t afford homes for themselves or their children anymore. The Israelis are buying everything.”

Official statistics count about 2,500 Israelis in Cyprus, though many enter using European passports, making true figures difficult to track. Some estimates suggest the number could be as high as 15,000, with many purchasing property reportedly for investment purposes rather than residence, as per Israeli media.

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