Filenews 9 October 2023 - by Fanis Makrides
The reaction of the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus was immediate after yesterday's unprecedented attack launched by the Islamist organization Hamas in Israel.
On Saturday morning and specifically shortly before noon, clear and unambiguous instructions were given by the Police Headquarters to the District Police Directorates (ADE) in order to take increased security measures in places where Israelis are located.
The instructions given aim at increasing patrols through vehicles, the existence of static patrols with armed members of the Cyprus Police, as well as the adoption of emergency measures to guard key -under the circumstances- points.
The preparation of an action plan by the police to protect Israeli interests in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus is not surprising. Besides, as is well known, in recent years the number of Israelis who settle permanently in Cyprus with their families has increased rapidly.
What is striking in this case is the reaction time of the Cypriot Police. The Hamas attack occurred early Saturday morning, but emergency measures were ordered from headquarters before 11 a.m. This means that there was coordination and consequently decision-making within a short period of time.
Static patrols
As "F" is informed, instructions were given to the District Police Directorates of Larnaka, Limassol and Pafos, in order to provide a static patrol with armed members outside the Jewish synagogues, for 24 hours a day.
In fact, there is a clear directive for the Larnaka Police Authority to have increased preparedness in case of an event or other action in the Jewish synagogue of the city. It should be noted that Larnaka Synagogue was the first to be founded in Cyprus in 2005 and has a large number of members.
In addition, the leadership of the Corps gave instructions for the Mechanized Immediate Action Unit to reinforce the policing effort in Larnaka with a patrol.
Instructions for policing with static armed patrols were also given for the Synagogue in the free area of Famagusta and specifically to the relevant Police Directorate.
Airports-Ports
Emergency security measures include the Airport Security Directorate (DASA) and the Port and Maritime Police (L&NA). These two services were instructed to cover with policing and increased vigilance the airports of Larnaka and Pafos, as well as the ports.
Recommendations were made to place particular emphasis on arrivals and departures of Israeli passengers, as well as to check the companies involved in the travel movement.
In the capital
The increased measures at the Israeli embassy in the centre of Nicosia, based on instructions from the Police Headquarters, were reinforced by members of the Nicosia Police Directorate, as well as by trained members of the Force serving in the Police Force.
Instructions have been given for continuous patrols and a short stop at a specific point. In addition, there will be perimeter policing in the area around the Embassy of the neighbouring country in Cyprus.
Similar measures have been taken for the Jewish synagogue in a central suburb of the capital.
It is noted that according to a report by Yedioth Ahronoth last summer (05/08), about 3,000 Israeli families have settled permanently in Cyprus. Rabbi Yudkin said that "in the last five years 400-500 families have been added annually" and that the Jewish community in Cyprus numbers 12-15,000 people. It remains unclear, of course, how many of these individuals are settled in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus and how many in the occupied areas.
