Cyprus parliamentary groups strengthen ties with Israel

On September 30, 2026, members of the Cypriot parliament from the Democratic Party (DIKO), the Democratic Rally (DISY), and the National Popular Front (ELAM) officially launched a local chapter of the Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI). The group, chaired by DIKO leader Nikolas Papadopoulos with vice-chairs Charalambos Petrides, Giorgos Karoullas, and Sotiris Ioannou, aims to enhance cooperation with Israel in the fields of defense and energy. Together, these three parties hold 33 parliamentary seats, providing a significant legislative bloc to support international agreements and closer relations with Israel and the United States.

This development follows broader regional efforts to deepen integration between Israel, Cyprus, Greece, and the U.S., which proponents describe as essential for Eastern Mediterranean security. The launch occurred shortly before the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. While these parties advocate for stronger ties, the move has faced opposition from other political factions, including AKEL, which has staged protests against such cooperation. Furthermore, a separate group of six MPs recently established a caucus with the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF), marking the 68th such parliamentary network globally. These groups intend to pursue further joint activities to formalize and expand bilateral parliamentary engagement in the coming months.