Activists are holding a 12-hour daily vigil outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, reading the names of over 60,000 individuals reported dead in Gaza, while urging Cyprus to cease its cooperation with Israel.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Organised by members of afoa, the Cypriot chapter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, and United for Palestine Nicosia, the demonstration runs from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm throughout the week.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Positioned directly opposite the gates of the Presidential Palace, the protesters sit on the concrete with candles, Palestinian flags, and literature surrounding them. The aim is to exert pressure on the government to suspend its increasingly warm relations with Israel and to condemn the ongoing violence in Gaza.
The heat beats down as they diligently read through extensive casualty lists. Each name is punctuated by the sound of a pot being struck, creating a rhythmic memorial that echoes through the area. Despite the warm weather, activists predominantly dress in black, reflecting the solemnity of their cause.
One protester shared, “On the first day, it took us over three hours to read out the names of the children under 1-year-old who were killed in Gaza. After 12 hours, we were still reading the names of children under 5-years-old.” This poignant statement captures the heavy emotional weight of the vigil.
The action requires careful coordination, with pairs of activists maintaining the vigil while others take turns resting. Fresh volunteers arrive daily to relieve those who have been there for hours. In between reciting names, some activists take brief moments to read statements or poems, adding a personal touch to their tribute.
The groups describe their marathon effort as a means to express “grief and despair in a non-disruptive way”. They emphasize that they are reading “the officially announced list of names of the murdered Palestinian people starting from the age of zero.” This commitment to honouring each life lost is central to their message.
They draw attention to what they term “genocide in Gaza, the massacres in the West Bank, the torture of Palestinians, and the ongoing seizures of Palestinian land”, which they argue are supported by Europe and specifically Cyprus.
Demands from the activists include an end to all military and economic cooperation between Cyprus and Israel, alongside calls for a complete arms embargo against Israel and an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, Cyprus has faced increased scrutiny regarding its role in hosting British military operations at RAF Akrotiri. Reports indicate that over 40 US transport aircraft have used the base to transfer arms and equipment to Israel, though both Nicosia and London deny that the base serves as a conduit for weapons transfers.
Concerns have also been raised about potential arms shipments through Cyprus’s civilian ports. The BDS movement claims that ships carrying raw materials for Israeli weapons production have docked at Larnaca, alongside allegations of vessels transporting explosives and artillery systems to Israel via Limassol port.
The Republic of Cyprus’s extensive economic and energy ties with Israel have amplified scrutiny of its stance. President Christodoulides has met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu multiple times since 2023 to discuss deals, including an undersea electricity cable and natural gas field agreements. The two nations have signed numerous energy cooperation agreements since 2010, which include exclusive economic zone arrangements and search and rescue deals, often in collaboration with Greece.
Criticism from opposition MPs and citizens has intensified, accusing the government of complicity in the violence. However, President Christodoulides has publicly denied any Cypriot involvement in Israeli military operations.
