in-cyprus 29 January 2025 - by Fanis Makrides
The Israeli embassy in Nicosia has strongly refuted claims that it issued security warnings to Israeli citizens in Cyprus, amidst a flurry of rumours about potential threats to Israeli interests on the island.
The embassy issued a denial following a report by Russian-language website Cursorinfo.co.il, which claimed Israeli citizens in Cyprus had received official messages warning them to stay in their homes due to high risk of terrorist attacks. The embassy branded the report “completely fabricated” and warned that such “unverified and false information” could trigger unnecessary public panic.
The rumours emerged following Sunday’s decision by Israel’s internal security service Shin Bet to divert flights from Paphos Airport to Larnaca International Airport. The measure, first reported by Israel’s Channel 12 and ERTNews, affects Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia, and IsraAir.
The situation was further complicated by anti-Israeli graffiti appearing in Larnaca and Oroklini on Monday, coinciding with Holocaust Remembrance Day. Local authorities promptly removed the graffiti, whilst police launched an investigation using CCTV footage.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, president of the European Jewish Association, condemned the graffiti incidents, stating that what appears as “merely” anti-Israeli sentiment has become a common cover for global antisemitism.
El Al confirmed it was “acting according to the instructions of the relevant security services”, whilst Arkia said operations would continue from Larnaca. A source familiar said that security measures for flights between Israel and Cyprus are routinely adjusted, with exact arrival times never officially announced.
The Israeli embassy in Nicosia emphasised that the flight consolidation was temporary and would be monitored in coordination with local authorities.
