Turkish newspaper features concerns over Israeli land ownership in Cyprus

On September 15, 2026, the Turkish newspaper Milli Gazete dedicated its front page to the issue of Israeli land and property purchases in the government-controlled areas of Cyprus. The publication drew heavily from a recent interview given by historian and former academic Jerry Kossifos to European Parliament member Fidias Panayiotou.

In the interview, Kossifos expressed significant concern regarding the pace of real estate acquisitions by Israeli nationals. Milli Gazete utilized the sensationalist headline “They are creating a second Israel,” attributing to Kossifos the claim that continued property sales could lead to the establishment of “a second Israel” in the southern part of the island. Furthermore, the report cited his calls to “stop selling our land” as a significant admission from a Greek Cypriot source.

The publication also linked these foreign investments to the ongoing rise in property prices across Cyprus. According to the report, the influx of foreign capital is contributing to a housing crisis, making it increasingly difficult for young Cypriots to purchase homes. There is no indication of further official investigations or immediate policy changes following these media reports.