Cypriot MPs establish cooperation group with Israel Allies Foundation

Six members of the Cypriot House of Representatives from DISY, DIKO, and ELAM have established a parliamentary cooperation group with the international Israel Allies Foundation (IAF). The initiative, led by DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelides, was formally launched on Wednesday at the House of Representatives, with an earlier meeting held between foundation representatives and President Nikos Christodoulides. The group includes MPs Giorgos Karoullas and Charalambos Petrides (DISY), Sotiris Ioannou and Marios Pelekanos (ELAM), and Andreas Apostolou and Chrysis Pantelides (DIKO).

The establishment of this group follows the creation of a local chapter of the Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI) by the same political parties two weeks prior. Supporters state the purpose is to advance parliamentary diplomacy, strengthen strategic alliances, and promote shared geopolitical interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. Pantelides clarified that members fund their own participation and that there is no monetary exchange or formal obligation involved.

The initiative has triggered strong condemnation from the opposition party AKEL, which accused the involved parties of turning the House into a lobbying tool for foreign interests. AKEL questioned the credibility of such actions given Cyprus's own struggle against occupation and international law violations. In response, DISY defended the move as a strategic choice to enhance Cyprus's international standing, rejecting accusations of subordination to foreign lobbies.