Israeli campaign billboard in Cyprus vandalized with Palestinian flag colors

Overnight on July 31, 2026, a billboard in Zygi on the Nicosia-Limassol highway was vandalized with paint in the colors of the Palestinian flag. The structure featured campaign advertisements for Gadi Eisenkot, the former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff and a candidate for the Israeli prime ministerial elections scheduled for October 27, where he is running as the leader of the Yashar party. The billboard displayed Hebrew slogans, including 'Israelis, enjoy! You deserve it' and 'Come back and win!'.

The presence of this political advertising had sparked significant public debate and social media outcry earlier in the week. Independent MEP Fidias Panayiotou and various activist groups have publicly criticized the campaign, calling for a ban on foreign countries conducting promotional activities within Cyprus. Currently, there is no specific legislation prohibiting foreign political entities from purchasing advertising space in Cyprus outside of local election cycles, as such billboards fall under general commercial and planning regulations.

While the billboard near the Larnaca airport is part of a broader trend of Israeli-related business and political advertising in the country, the incident highlights growing tensions regarding foreign political influence on the island. Authorities have noted the damage, though there have been no immediate announcements regarding ongoing investigations or the removal of the signs.