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Wikipedia

Cyprus–Israel relations

Cyprus–Israel relations refer to the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Israel. Israel has an embassy in Nicosia, while Cyprus has an embassy in Tel Aviv. Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean, United Nations, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Cyprus–Israel relations

Cyprus

Israel
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Cyprus, Tel AvivEmbassy of Israel, Nicosia
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin with Cypriot foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides, 2018

Cyprus and Israel have extensive collaboration on military, cultural, and political matters.[1] The prospect of a joint use of oil and gas fields off Cyprus, as well as EuroAsia Interconnector, now the world's longest subsea electric power cable[2][3] have also brought the two countries closer together.

History

 
Deportation camps at Cyprus for Jews of Europe

During and immediately after World War II, Cyprus became a transit point for Jewish Holocaust survivors trying to reach Mandate Palestine. Cyprus was then a British Crown Colony. From 1946 to 1949, an estimated 53,000 Jews were detained by the British in camps on Cyprus.[4]

Today, relations between Cyprus and Israel are strong. Many Cypriots and Israelis refer to them as Cypriot-Israeli brotherhood.[5][6] In September 2013, the leader of Democratic Rally Averof Neofytou called for supporting Israel as Cyprus's most reliable partner.[7] Israeli President Shimon Peres called Cyprus Israel's most predictable neighbour.[8]

Bilateral relations

In the 1980s and 1990s, Cyprus expressed concern over Israel's then close defense relationship with Turkey. Cyprus outwardly backed the Palestinians in the Arab–Israeli conflict and officially recognizes Palestine as a de facto state. Cypriot first lady Androulla Vassiliou, wife of President George Vasiliou, was declared persona non grata in Israel when a delegation she was leading attempted to meet with Yasser Arafat, who was then under house arrest.[9]

Relations began to improve in 1993. A number of bilateral agreements were signed and many official visits have taken place including the official State visit by the President of Israel and a reciprocate visit by the President of Cyprus.

In the early 2000s, members of the Cypriot branch of the Greek Orthodox Church were accused of selling church-owned land in the West Bank to Israeli developers.

In 2010, an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was set within the territorial waters between Israel and Cyprus at the maritime halfway point, a clarification essential for safeguarding Israel's rights to oil and underwater gas reservoirs. The agreement was signed in Nicosia by Israeli Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau and the Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou. The two countries agreed to cooperate in the development of any cross border resources discovered, and to negotiate an agreement on dividing joint resources.[10]

In February 2012, Netanyahu visited Cyprus, the first visit of an Israeli Prime Minister in history, and the two countries signed a search and rescue agreement.[11][12] Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman visited Cyprus at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart when Netanyahu was in Washington, and Lieberman has met with Cyprus foreign minister Kyprianou several times.

Energy and natural gas

 
Exclusive economic zone between Israel and Cyprus as signed in Nicosia

Israeli energy firm Delek Group is seeking to work with Cyprus on natural gas exploration and extraction near the Leviathan gas field off the Israeli coast where Delek is already active.[13] The large oil and gas field, and the opportunities of joint use, have brought the two countries closer together. This however has opened a new source of frictions between both countries and Turkey. Noble Energy, a US company, is also involved in the Leviathan field and this may lead to US government involvement in the gas fields dispute.

Turkey claimed that the Greek-Cypriot government in the southern part of the island did not have the authority to sign deals with Israel which could be detrimental to the Turkish-Cypriot population in Northern Cyprus. The discovery of oil fields in the Mediterranean allowed Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to continue his diplomatic confrontation on two fronts: one with Israel, and one with Cyprus.[14][15][16]

Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias visited Israel in March 2011 for the first-ever official visit by a Cypriot head of state.[17] Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides noted however that, despite all the enthusiasm, Cyprus could not ignore Israeli tourism and real estate projects in the island's north, which was under disputed Turkish control.[18]

According to Turkish media reports in September 2011, Israel Air Force fighter planes flew through the airspace of both Cyprus and Northern Cyprus after taking off to face a Turkish seismic research ship in the Eastern Mediterranean. The reports added that Turkey responded by launching two fighters to track the Israeli planes, at which point the Israeli fighter jets returned to Israeli airspace. The Turkish research vessel was seen as a Turkish provocation in the dispute over gas fields. The operation of Israeli planes in Cyprus airspace was interpreted as a further sign of close Israel-Cyprus ties.[19]

ΔΕΗ-Quantum Energy, a Cyprus-based group including Greece's state-controlled power utility Public Power Corporation of Greece (PPC, also known as DEH) is planning to lay the world's longest submarine power cable, linking Israel, Cyprus and Greece. The link, called the EuroAsia Interconnector project, would be the longest in the world.[20] The cable is supposed to pass from Israel via Cyprus and Crete, and from there to mainland Europe notably Italy and Switzerland and from Bulgaria to Serbia.[21][22]

During his visit in Israel in April 2013 Foreign Minister of Cyprus has expressed his enthusiasm that as Cyprus has financial and economic problems, the energy cooperation agreement between Cyprus and Israel is a bright spot in that will boost hopes for a quick recovery by 2014.[23]

In March 2021, Cyprus said that it had reached an agreement with Israel concerning the gas reserves in their maritime border. The Israeli side said that the two countries have set a framework that might solve the issue.[24]

Cypriot mediation between Israel and Lebanon

Since the establishment of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Cyprus, Israel and Lebanon, Cyprus has been offering mediation between Lebanon and Israel over their maritime border dispute which was delaying gas and oil exploration of the two countries. General Director of the Department of Energy in Cyprus Solonas Kasinis announced in 2010 from Limassol that Cyprus does anything possible to strengthen cooperation between the three countries not only on the issue of the division of gas and oil reserves but also on military and strategic matters.[25] In an effort to further settle the unstable situation between Israel and Lebanon, Chair President of Cypriot Parliament Yiannakis Omirou visited Lebanese President Michel Suleiman in Beirut to find solution to the disputes.[26]

Tripartite energy memorandum

On August 8, 2013, Greece, Israel and Cyprus signed the tripartite energy memorandum of understanding after the completion of one year negotiation in Nicosia. Negotiations were held between the Energy and Water Resources Minister of Israel Silvan Shalom, the Cypriot minister of agriculture, natural resources and environment Nicos Kouyialis and the Cypriot minister of environment, energy and climate change George Lakkotrypis.[27] The 2,000-mega-watt EuroAsia Interconnector is planned to lift Cyprus and Israel out of energy isolation through cheaper electricity as supported by George Lakkotrypis. Silvan Shalom announced that the agreement is "historic" and that it demonstrated the powerful relations between the three countries adding that electricity will be exported to the European energy market via cable.[28][29][30] The Greek Prime Minister at the time Antonis Samaras proclaimed on 8 August that Israel has a special role to play in supplying Europe with energy resources and supported that it can become a key energy hub.[31]

Civil marriage

Israeli matrimonial law is still based on the Millet system employed in the Ottoman Empire, which was not modified during the British Mandate and remains in force. Marriages in each religious community are under the jurisdiction of its own religious authority.[32] Israeli couples who for any reason are unable or unwilling to contract a religious marriage often opt to get married in neighboring Cyprus, given that civil, interfaith and same-sex marriages entered into abroad are recognised by the Israeli state. Republic of Cyprus is ranked as the first or second destination for Israeli civil wedding, alongside Prague.[33][34]

State visits to Cyprus

Israel and Cyprus agreed on the middle of February 2011 to launch a joint natural gas and oil exploration venture in their adjoining territorial waters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cypriot President Demetris Christofias inked the deal during Netanyahu's visit to Nicosia, which was the first by an Israeli leader ever. The deal will also allow Israel to use Cyprus' air space and territorial waters for aerial and naval search and rescue drills. The Prime Minister's Office said that the deal was part of the two nations' efforts to "strengthen the improving ties between the two nations, as well as boost energy security in both countries." Netanyahu traveled to Cyprus with a mission of 20 high-level government officials, including Energy and Water Minister Uzi Landau and the directors of Israel's National Security and National Economic councils.[35]

In April 2012 Foreign Minister made a three-day visit to Nicosia to discuss the gas-sharing agreement to exploit reserves that fall on the maritime boundary between the two countries.[36][37] Lieberman later discussed the prospects of further expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy, tourism and investment with Commerce and Industry Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis.[38] Lieberman said relations between the two countries are probably at their best stage since the establishment of Cyprus and Israel.[39][40]

On 2 September 2013 President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou and the Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein signed a protocol of cooperation between their countries' Parliaments. After the signing of the protocol Yiannakis Omirou expressed his enthusiasm for the setting up of a Cyprus-Israeli Friendship Group in the respective parliaments. Edelstein announced that the signing of the memorandum is a testament to the joint efforts and close cooperation between the two countries and will increase connection in the years to come.[41] On 2 September 2013 the president of Democratic Rally, Averof Neophytou in a press conference in Nicosia characterised Israel as Cyprus' most reliable ally.[42][43][5]

Economic relations

 
Cyprus-Israel Business Association is hosted in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism in the Makariou Avenue

The Cypriot media report that the country could receive natural gas from Israel in early 2015, at reduced prices, if discussions on the supply of small quantities are completed by the end of the year, as the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis has announced in a press conference about a visit to Israel by a high-ranking Cypriot delegation.[44] The Cypriot government is seeking an interim energy solution until its own natural gas reserves can be developed. Minister Sylikiotis said that Israel is positive in supplying Cyprus a small quantity of natural gas, 0.5-0.7 billion cubic meters, for electricity production. He added that Cyprus would import Israeli gas in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through contracts between Electricity Authority of Cyprus and Israel Electric Corporation (IEC). [45][46] Export proposals also include building a pipeline from Israel, Cyprus and finally to Greece or combining the gas from discoveries off Cyprus and Israel at a joint LNG plant as soon as 2018 that will be built in the southern city of Larnaca.[47] Another option suggested by Noble was to build a plant in Jordan to ship the fuel to Asia through the Red Sea.[48][49]

Cyprus-Israel Business Association

With the cooperation of both Cypriot and Israeli government in 2008 Cyprus-Israel Business Association was formed and is held annually in Nicosia, Cyprus. It headquarters in Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry building[50] and contacts Ministry of Finance of both Israel and Cyprus to coordinate an increase in financial bonds of the two countries. In the annual forum of Cyprus-Israel Business Association speakers from key positions from both countries take part.[51] In September 2011 Chief Executive Officer of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Ester Levanon visited Cyprus to present “The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange as a reflection of the Israeli Economy”.[52] Other prominent speakers include Ex-Ministers of Commerce and Trade Praxoulla Antoniadou Kyriacou and Antonis Paschalides, the President and the Secretary-General of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manthos Mavrommatis, the President and the General Manager of the Cyprus Stock Exchange George Koufaris, the Ambassador of Israel Michael Harari and the Ambassador of Belgium Christakis Papavassiliou.[53][54]

In 2013 Cyprus-Israel Business Association conferences took place in Jerusalem and even though the participants of 100 Israeli companies and the 30 Cypriot firms discuss how to increase cooperation in fields ranging “from milk to gas,” the main emphasis was on the Mediterranean natural resource that each of the countries has the potential to export.[55][56] In May 2013 the President of the Israel-Cyprus Business Association Christakis Papavasilious announced “the new historic era” that Cyprus and Israel are entering together in regards to the economic aspect, and that both countries should rely on each other in order to push forward.[56][57]

Electricity connection

Electricity connection between Hadera of Israel and Vasilikos in Cyprus is one of the projects that will be funded by the European Union in the framework of the programme Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).[58] According to a press release issued by the European Commission the amount earmarked for the Hadera Israel-Vasilikos Cyprus connection is approximately €1.325m. The project is based on an undersea cable for the connection of the electricity systems of Israel, Cyprus and Greece. Its capacity will be 2000 MW and its length approximately 1518 km. It will include three connections: 329 km between Israel and Cyprus, 879 km between Cyprus and Crete and 310 km between Crete and mainland Greece and will allow electricity transmission to both directions.[59]

Military collaboration

In October 2011 Phileleftheros newspaper published a document detailing a military exercise between Israel and Cyprus, which included mid-air refuelling of fighter jets and quick touchdown landings by Israel Air Force combat helicopters in Cyprus.[60][61] In 2013 Israel is expecting to receive approval from the Cypriot government to station military jets at the Andreas Papandreou airbase in the city of Paphos, creating the first Israeli military station outside the Israel. It is unknown if the plans include a permanent military presence on the island, with a full-time deployment of airmen.[62][63][64] In April 2013 it was reported that Israel was set to send warships to the eastern Mediterranean for a joint military exercise with the Republic of Cyprus. Cypriot Defense Minister Fotis Fotiou confirmed that the joint exercise, which will include the participation of four or five Israeli warships, would start on 25 April. Fotiou also noted that Cyprus will focus on the security of the eastern Mediterranean region and that of gas companies. On 9 April the Minister of Defence, Fotis Fotiou, met at his office with the Ambassador of Israel Michael Harari. In an official statement after the meeting Michael Harari expressed his view that Israel and Cyprus are determined to strengthen and deepen their relations in all areas in favor of their peoples and the region in general.[65] In early May 2013 Israel Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon and Cypriot Defence Minister Fotis Fitiou met in Tel Aviv to set the foundations for a coordinated cooperation in energy security issues. On his return to Cyprus, the Cyprus Defense Minister announced that during his meeting in Tel Aviv, they also decided to set up technical committees to promote the issues examined. Moshe Ya'alon referred to the strategic relationship between the two countries and their benefit from the natural-gas field that lies between their shores. He added that Israel intends to improve the preparedness of its navy in the Mediterranean to protect the gas facilities of Israel and Cyprus."[66][67]

On 11 February 2014 between 11am and 1am Israel and Cyprus held a joint military exercise codenamed ‘Onisilos-Gideon’ in Cypriot FIR and the scheduled drill occurred inside the Nicosia flight information region (FIR).[68] Israeli fighter jets carried out flybys over areas south of Limassol featuring 32 F15 and F16 jets and six more support aircraft of the Israeli Air Force, the exercise included simulated firing at targets on land and sea along the southern coast from Limassol to Paphos.[69][70]

"Onisilos-Gideon" October 2014

On 21 October 2014 Israel and Cyprus held joint military exercise that included aerial maneuvers by Israeli Air Force fighter jets in Cypriot airspace in collaboration with the Cypriot National Guard. Another part of the military drill took place in Cypriot territorial waters off the island of Crete.[71][72]

Memorandum of Understanding

On 21 December 2011 Israeli minister of public security, Avi Dichter, with the Cypriot Minister of Interior Eleni Mavrou, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ensuring the mutual protection and assistance between the two countries in the field of disaster management and civil protection. The MoU provides for collaboration and sharing practices on how to prepare the population for disasters and crises.[73][74]

Environmental cooperation

A new desalination plant operates in Limassol, launched by the National Water Company Mekorot. The desalination plant has the capacity to produce up to 40,000 cubic metres (11,000,000 US gal) of desalinated potable water daily. At the inauguration of the plant in August 2013, there were present both President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Israeli Minister of Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom.[75][76] Cypriot Minister of Agriculture Nicos Kouyalis and Israel Minister of Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom met between 24 and 27 August 2013, during which they discussed issues pertaining to water development, management and protection based on the larger framework of the Memorandum of Understanding. There was high level of discussion at a technocratic level which is targeting at the further reinforcement of the cooperation and the exchange of experiences and knowledge, particularly relating to urban waste water treatment and the use of recycled water in agriculture.[77]

Cyprus fires in June 2016

Cyprus on 18 June asked help from Israel after a fire was raging out of control in Argaka and other forest areas close to Evrychou which had approximately burned seventeen square kilometres of wild vegetation, hay and pine forest and could not be brought under control due to strong winds. Israel immediately sent three airtankers on 19 June, and an additional plane carrying 36 cubic meters of firefighting foam flew to the island on 20 June, per the Cypriot government request.[78][79] Greece, Britain, Italy and France also sent helicopters and planes to aid in the firefighting efforts.

On 20 June Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the weekly Cabinet meeting announced he was pleased his country was able to extend assistance to Cyprus in order to put out the fire that broke out near Argaka and recalled that in 2010, during the massive Mount Carmel forest fire, the first person to contact for assistance was the president of Cyprus Demetris Christofias.[80] Cyprus[81] dispatched its only helicopter and plane to assist in the fire-fighting effort.

On 28 June Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades thanked from his bottom of his heart the prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu in their telephone conversation.

Educational collaboration

In June 2016 Cyprus and Israel signed a programme of cooperation in the sectors of culture, education and science, for a period of three years (2016-2019), during an official visit of the Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture Costas Kadis to Israel. Cyprus Minister Costas Kadis visited Israel between 22 and 23 of June, at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett.[82] During their meeting both Ministers emphasised the importance of strengthening the cooperation of the two countries in the field of education and especially in higher education. Naftali Benntett accepted the invitation of the Cypriot Minister to visit Cyprus with representatives of Universities and Research Centres of Israel to continue the dialogue and to identify areas of common interest for cooperation in higher education.[83]

Cultural collaboration

 
Iron-age Cypriot White Painted Ware displayed at Israeli National Maritime Museum, Haifa

With the initiative of Cyprus Ministry of Education a number of exchange programmes have been funded between Israeli and Cypriot students from years 12 to 18. The Israeli Yacht club and Famagusta District Sailing Club organised between 1–4 October 2012 the first "Cyprus-Israel Regatta" during which participants sailed from Larnaca to Tel Aviv.[84] In August 2012 both countries signed a treaty to cooperate in forming a bank that will host the important amount of data which results from the numerous excavations that are conducted in both Israel and Cyprus.[85] On 18 May 2013 Cypriot public was offered the opportunity to experience Israeli culture at the New Theatre Building of THOC in Nicosia through an exclusive series of cultural events and artistic happenings. Those who attended experienced some of Israel's best works of art, including theatre, children's puppet show, films and a photograph exhibition.[86]

Diplomacy

Visits

 
Poster exhibition about Israel in Onasagorou Street by students of Frederick University in English and Greek
Guest Host Place of visit Date of visit
  President Demetris Christofias   President Shimon Peres Tel Aviv, Israel March 2011
  President Shimon Peres   President Demetris Christofias Larnaca, Cyprus November 2011
  Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman   Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis Limassol, Cyprus December 2011
  Defence Minister of Cyprus Demetris Eliades   Defence Minister Ehud Barak Jerusalem 8 January 2012
  Leader of the Opposition Nicos Anastasiades   President Shimon Peres Jerusalem 9–12 January 2012
  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu   President Demetris Christofias Nicosia, Cyprus February 2012
  Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis   Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem April 2013
  Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis   Energy Minister Uzi Landau Jerusalem April 2013
  Defense Minister Fotis Fotiou   Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon Tel Aviv, Israel 2 May 2013
  President Nicos Anastasiades   Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem 5–7 May 2013
  Minister of Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom   Energy and Trade Minister George Lakkotrypis Nicosia, Cyprus 8 August 2013
  Minister of Agriculture Nicos Kouyialis   Minister of Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom Tel Aviv, Israel 24–27 August 2013
  Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein   President of Parliament Yiannakis Omirou Nicosia, Cyprus 1–3 September 2013
  Minister of Tourism Uzi Landau   President Nicos Anastasiades Nicosia, Cyprus November 2013
  Minister of Defence Fotis Fotiou   Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem 12–13 January 2014
  Minister of Defence Moshe Ya'alon   Minister of Defence Fotis Fotiou Paphos, Cyprus February 2014
  Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulidis   President Shimon Peres Jerusalem 19–20 February 2014
  Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman   President Nicos Anastasiades Nicosia, Cyprus 5–6 November 2014
  President Nicos Anastasiades   Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem June 2015
  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu   President Nicos Anastasiades Nicosia, Cyprus 28 July 2015
  Minister of Health Giorgos Pamporidis   Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman Tel Aviv, Israel January 2016
  Minister of Defence Moshe Ya'alon   Minister of Defence Christoforos Fokaides Nicosia, Cyprus 24 February 2016
  Minister of Education and Culture Costas Kadis   Minister of Education Naftali Bennett Jerusalem 22–23 June 2016
  Minister of Transportation Marios Demetriadis   Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz Tel Aviv, Israel 14 July 2016
  President Nicos Anastasiades   Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem 24 July 2016
  President Reuven Rivlin   President Nicos Anastasiades Nicosia, Cyprus 12 February 2019
  President Nicos Anastasiades   Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem, Israel 14 February 2021
  Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi   Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides Pafos, Cyprus April 2021
  Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides   Foreign Minister Yair Lapid Israel July 2021
  Minister of Defense Benny Gantz   Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis Cyprus May-June 2022

Country comparison

  Cyprus   Israel
Population 1,207,827 9,039,370
Area 9,251 km2 (3,572sq mi) 20,770 km2 (8,019 mi)
Population density 117/km2 (221/sq mi) 347/km2 (925/sq mi)
Capital Nicosia Jerusalem
Largest city Nicosia – 398,293 Jerusalem – 936,425
Government Presidential republic Parliamentary republic
Official languages Greek and Turkish Hebrew
Current leader President Nicos Anastasiades President Isaac Herzog
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Main religions[citation needed] 81% Christianity, 18% Muslim, 1% Others 75.4% Jews, 20.6% Muslim, 7.8% Others
Ethnic groups[citation needed] 78.9% Greek Cypriot, 18.2% Turkish Cypriot 75.4% Jews, 20.6% Arab, 4.1% Others
GDP (nominal) US$24.949 billion (US$30,570 per capita) US$236.994 billion ($31,467 per capita)
Military expenditures $510,000,000 (1.8% of GDP) $50,600,000,000 (6.9% of GDP)
Military Troops 13,000 176,500
English Speakers 87% 84.97%
Labour Forces 403,000 3,227,000

See also

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External links

  • Israeli embassy in Cyprus official website
  • Civil Marriages of Israelis in Cyprus
  • Israeli paper on "national interest" on Cyprus Israel relations

cyprus, israel, relations, refer, bilateral, relations, between, cyprus, israel, israel, embassy, nicosia, while, cyprus, embassy, aviv, both, countries, members, union, mediterranean, united, nations, euro, atlantic, partnership, council, organisation, econom. Cyprus Israel relations refer to the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Israel Israel has an embassy in Nicosia while Cyprus has an embassy in Tel Aviv Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean United Nations Euro Atlantic Partnership Council Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development International Monetary Fund World Bank and World Trade Organization Cyprus Israel relationsCyprus IsraelDiplomatic missionEmbassy of Cyprus Tel AvivEmbassy of Israel NicosiaIsraeli president Reuven Rivlin with Cypriot foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides 2018 Cyprus and Israel have extensive collaboration on military cultural and political matters 1 The prospect of a joint use of oil and gas fields off Cyprus as well as EuroAsia Interconnector now the world s longest subsea electric power cable 2 3 have also brought the two countries closer together Contents 1 History 2 Bilateral relations 3 Energy and natural gas 4 Cypriot mediation between Israel and Lebanon 5 Tripartite energy memorandum 6 Civil marriage 7 State visits to Cyprus 8 Economic relations 8 1 Cyprus Israel Business Association 8 2 Electricity connection 9 Military collaboration 9 1 Onisilos Gideon October 2014 10 Memorandum of Understanding 11 Environmental cooperation 12 Cyprus fires in June 2016 13 Educational collaboration 14 Cultural collaboration 15 Diplomacy 16 Visits 17 Country comparison 18 See also 19 References 20 External linksHistory EditFurther information History of the Jews in Cyprus Deportation camps at Cyprus for Jews of Europe During and immediately after World War II Cyprus became a transit point for Jewish Holocaust survivors trying to reach Mandate Palestine Cyprus was then a British Crown Colony From 1946 to 1949 an estimated 53 000 Jews were detained by the British in camps on Cyprus 4 Today relations between Cyprus and Israel are strong Many Cypriots and Israelis refer to them as Cypriot Israeli brotherhood 5 6 In September 2013 the leader of Democratic Rally Averof Neofytou called for supporting Israel as Cyprus s most reliable partner 7 Israeli President Shimon Peres called Cyprus Israel s most predictable neighbour 8 Bilateral relations EditIn the 1980s and 1990s Cyprus expressed concern over Israel s then close defense relationship with Turkey Cyprus outwardly backed the Palestinians in the Arab Israeli conflict and officially recognizes Palestine as a de facto state Cypriot first lady Androulla Vassiliou wife of President George Vasiliou was declared persona non grata in Israel when a delegation she was leading attempted to meet with Yasser Arafat who was then under house arrest 9 Relations began to improve in 1993 A number of bilateral agreements were signed and many official visits have taken place including the official State visit by the President of Israel and a reciprocate visit by the President of Cyprus In the early 2000s members of the Cypriot branch of the Greek Orthodox Church were accused of selling church owned land in the West Bank to Israeli developers In 2010 an exclusive economic zone EEZ was set within the territorial waters between Israel and Cyprus at the maritime halfway point a clarification essential for safeguarding Israel s rights to oil and underwater gas reservoirs The agreement was signed in Nicosia by Israeli Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau and the Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou The two countries agreed to cooperate in the development of any cross border resources discovered and to negotiate an agreement on dividing joint resources 10 In February 2012 Netanyahu visited Cyprus the first visit of an Israeli Prime Minister in history and the two countries signed a search and rescue agreement 11 12 Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman visited Cyprus at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart when Netanyahu was in Washington and Lieberman has met with Cyprus foreign minister Kyprianou several times Energy and natural gas Edit Exclusive economic zone between Israel and Cyprus as signed in Nicosia Israeli energy firm Delek Group is seeking to work with Cyprus on natural gas exploration and extraction near the Leviathan gas field off the Israeli coast where Delek is already active 13 The large oil and gas field and the opportunities of joint use have brought the two countries closer together This however has opened a new source of frictions between both countries and Turkey Noble Energy a US company is also involved in the Leviathan field and this may lead to US government involvement in the gas fields dispute Turkey claimed that the Greek Cypriot government in the southern part of the island did not have the authority to sign deals with Israel which could be detrimental to the Turkish Cypriot population in Northern Cyprus The discovery of oil fields in the Mediterranean allowed Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to continue his diplomatic confrontation on two fronts one with Israel and one with Cyprus 14 15 16 Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias visited Israel in March 2011 for the first ever official visit by a Cypriot head of state 17 Minister of Commerce Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides noted however that despite all the enthusiasm Cyprus could not ignore Israeli tourism and real estate projects in the island s north which was under disputed Turkish control 18 According to Turkish media reports in September 2011 Israel Air Force fighter planes flew through the airspace of both Cyprus and Northern Cyprus after taking off to face a Turkish seismic research ship in the Eastern Mediterranean The reports added that Turkey responded by launching two fighters to track the Israeli planes at which point the Israeli fighter jets returned to Israeli airspace The Turkish research vessel was seen as a Turkish provocation in the dispute over gas fields The operation of Israeli planes in Cyprus airspace was interpreted as a further sign of close Israel Cyprus ties 19 DEH Quantum Energy a Cyprus based group including Greece s state controlled power utility Public Power Corporation of Greece PPC also known as DEH is planning to lay the world s longest submarine power cable linking Israel Cyprus and Greece The link called the EuroAsia Interconnector project would be the longest in the world 20 The cable is supposed to pass from Israel via Cyprus and Crete and from there to mainland Europe notably Italy and Switzerland and from Bulgaria to Serbia 21 22 During his visit in Israel in April 2013 Foreign Minister of Cyprus has expressed his enthusiasm that as Cyprus has financial and economic problems the energy cooperation agreement between Cyprus and Israel is a bright spot in that will boost hopes for a quick recovery by 2014 23 In March 2021 Cyprus said that it had reached an agreement with Israel concerning the gas reserves in their maritime border The Israeli side said that the two countries have set a framework that might solve the issue 24 Cypriot mediation between Israel and Lebanon EditSince the establishment of the exclusive economic zone EEZ of Cyprus Israel and Lebanon Cyprus has been offering mediation between Lebanon and Israel over their maritime border dispute which was delaying gas and oil exploration of the two countries General Director of the Department of Energy in Cyprus Solonas Kasinis announced in 2010 from Limassol that Cyprus does anything possible to strengthen cooperation between the three countries not only on the issue of the division of gas and oil reserves but also on military and strategic matters 25 In an effort to further settle the unstable situation between Israel and Lebanon Chair President of Cypriot Parliament Yiannakis Omirou visited Lebanese President Michel Suleiman in Beirut to find solution to the disputes 26 Tripartite energy memorandum EditOn August 8 2013 Greece Israel and Cyprus signed the tripartite energy memorandum of understanding after the completion of one year negotiation in Nicosia Negotiations were held between the Energy and Water Resources Minister of Israel Silvan Shalom the Cypriot minister of agriculture natural resources and environment Nicos Kouyialis and the Cypriot minister of environment energy and climate change George Lakkotrypis 27 The 2 000 mega watt EuroAsia Interconnector is planned to lift Cyprus and Israel out of energy isolation through cheaper electricity as supported by George Lakkotrypis Silvan Shalom announced that the agreement is historic and that it demonstrated the powerful relations between the three countries adding that electricity will be exported to the European energy market via cable 28 29 30 The Greek Prime Minister at the time Antonis Samaras proclaimed on 8 August that Israel has a special role to play in supplying Europe with energy resources and supported that it can become a key energy hub 31 Civil marriage EditIsraeli matrimonial law is still based on the Millet system employed in the Ottoman Empire which was not modified during the British Mandate and remains in force Marriages in each religious community are under the jurisdiction of its own religious authority 32 Israeli couples who for any reason are unable or unwilling to contract a religious marriage often opt to get married in neighboring Cyprus given that civil interfaith and same sex marriages entered into abroad are recognised by the Israeli state Republic of Cyprus is ranked as the first or second destination for Israeli civil wedding alongside Prague 33 34 State visits to Cyprus EditIsrael and Cyprus agreed on the middle of February 2011 to launch a joint natural gas and oil exploration venture in their adjoining territorial waters Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cypriot President Demetris Christofias inked the deal during Netanyahu s visit to Nicosia which was the first by an Israeli leader ever The deal will also allow Israel to use Cyprus air space and territorial waters for aerial and naval search and rescue drills The Prime Minister s Office said that the deal was part of the two nations efforts to strengthen the improving ties between the two nations as well as boost energy security in both countries Netanyahu traveled to Cyprus with a mission of 20 high level government officials including Energy and Water Minister Uzi Landau and the directors of Israel s National Security and National Economic councils 35 In April 2012 Foreign Minister made a three day visit to Nicosia to discuss the gas sharing agreement to exploit reserves that fall on the maritime boundary between the two countries 36 37 Lieberman later discussed the prospects of further expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy tourism and investment with Commerce and Industry Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis 38 Lieberman said relations between the two countries are probably at their best stage since the establishment of Cyprus and Israel 39 40 On 2 September 2013 President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou and the Knesset Speaker Yuli Yoel Edelstein signed a protocol of cooperation between their countries Parliaments After the signing of the protocol Yiannakis Omirou expressed his enthusiasm for the setting up of a Cyprus Israeli Friendship Group in the respective parliaments Edelstein announced that the signing of the memorandum is a testament to the joint efforts and close cooperation between the two countries and will increase connection in the years to come 41 On 2 September 2013 the president of Democratic Rally Averof Neophytou in a press conference in Nicosia characterised Israel as Cyprus most reliable ally 42 43 5 Economic relations Edit Cyprus Israel Business Association is hosted in the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Tourism in the Makariou Avenue The Cypriot media report that the country could receive natural gas from Israel in early 2015 at reduced prices if discussions on the supply of small quantities are completed by the end of the year as the Minister of Commerce Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis has announced in a press conference about a visit to Israel by a high ranking Cypriot delegation 44 The Cypriot government is seeking an interim energy solution until its own natural gas reserves can be developed Minister Sylikiotis said that Israel is positive in supplying Cyprus a small quantity of natural gas 0 5 0 7 billion cubic meters for electricity production He added that Cyprus would import Israeli gas in the form of liquefied natural gas LNG through contracts between Electricity Authority of Cyprus and Israel Electric Corporation IEC 45 46 Export proposals also include building a pipeline from Israel Cyprus and finally to Greece or combining the gas from discoveries off Cyprus and Israel at a joint LNG plant as soon as 2018 that will be built in the southern city of Larnaca 47 Another option suggested by Noble was to build a plant in Jordan to ship the fuel to Asia through the Red Sea 48 49 Cyprus Israel Business Association Edit With the cooperation of both Cypriot and Israeli government in 2008 Cyprus Israel Business Association was formed and is held annually in Nicosia Cyprus It headquarters in Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry building 50 and contacts Ministry of Finance of both Israel and Cyprus to coordinate an increase in financial bonds of the two countries In the annual forum of Cyprus Israel Business Association speakers from key positions from both countries take part 51 In September 2011 Chief Executive Officer of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Ester Levanon visited Cyprus to present The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange as a reflection of the Israeli Economy 52 Other prominent speakers include Ex Ministers of Commerce and Trade Praxoulla Antoniadou Kyriacou and Antonis Paschalides the President and the Secretary General of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manthos Mavrommatis the President and the General Manager of the Cyprus Stock Exchange George Koufaris the Ambassador of Israel Michael Harari and the Ambassador of Belgium Christakis Papavassiliou 53 54 In 2013 Cyprus Israel Business Association conferences took place in Jerusalem and even though the participants of 100 Israeli companies and the 30 Cypriot firms discuss how to increase cooperation in fields ranging from milk to gas the main emphasis was on the Mediterranean natural resource that each of the countries has the potential to export 55 56 In May 2013 the President of the Israel Cyprus Business Association Christakis Papavasilious announced the new historic era that Cyprus and Israel are entering together in regards to the economic aspect and that both countries should rely on each other in order to push forward 56 57 Electricity connection Edit Main article EuroAsia Interconnector Electricity connection between Hadera of Israel and Vasilikos in Cyprus is one of the projects that will be funded by the European Union in the framework of the programme Connecting Europe Facility CEF 58 According to a press release issued by the European Commission the amount earmarked for the Hadera Israel Vasilikos Cyprus connection is approximately 1 325m The project is based on an undersea cable for the connection of the electricity systems of Israel Cyprus and Greece Its capacity will be 2000 MW and its length approximately 1518 km It will include three connections 329 km between Israel and Cyprus 879 km between Cyprus and Crete and 310 km between Crete and mainland Greece and will allow electricity transmission to both directions 59 Military collaboration EditIn October 2011 Phileleftheros newspaper published a document detailing a military exercise between Israel and Cyprus which included mid air refuelling of fighter jets and quick touchdown landings by Israel Air Force combat helicopters in Cyprus 60 61 In 2013 Israel is expecting to receive approval from the Cypriot government to station military jets at the Andreas Papandreou airbase in the city of Paphos creating the first Israeli military station outside the Israel It is unknown if the plans include a permanent military presence on the island with a full time deployment of airmen 62 63 64 In April 2013 it was reported that Israel was set to send warships to the eastern Mediterranean for a joint military exercise with the Republic of Cyprus Cypriot Defense Minister Fotis Fotiou confirmed that the joint exercise which will include the participation of four or five Israeli warships would start on 25 April Fotiou also noted that Cyprus will focus on the security of the eastern Mediterranean region and that of gas companies On 9 April the Minister of Defence Fotis Fotiou met at his office with the Ambassador of Israel Michael Harari In an official statement after the meeting Michael Harari expressed his view that Israel and Cyprus are determined to strengthen and deepen their relations in all areas in favor of their peoples and the region in general 65 In early May 2013 Israel Defence Minister Moshe Ya alon and Cypriot Defence Minister Fotis Fitiou met in Tel Aviv to set the foundations for a coordinated cooperation in energy security issues On his return to Cyprus the Cyprus Defense Minister announced that during his meeting in Tel Aviv they also decided to set up technical committees to promote the issues examined Moshe Ya alon referred to the strategic relationship between the two countries and their benefit from the natural gas field that lies between their shores He added that Israel intends to improve the preparedness of its navy in the Mediterranean to protect the gas facilities of Israel and Cyprus 66 67 On 11 February 2014 between 11am and 1am Israel and Cyprus held a joint military exercise codenamed Onisilos Gideon in Cypriot FIR and the scheduled drill occurred inside the Nicosia flight information region FIR 68 Israeli fighter jets carried out flybys over areas south of Limassol featuring 32 F15 and F16 jets and six more support aircraft of the Israeli Air Force the exercise included simulated firing at targets on land and sea along the southern coast from Limassol to Paphos 69 70 Onisilos Gideon October 2014 Edit On 21 October 2014 Israel and Cyprus held joint military exercise that included aerial maneuvers by Israeli Air Force fighter jets in Cypriot airspace in collaboration with the Cypriot National Guard Another part of the military drill took place in Cypriot territorial waters off the island of Crete 71 72 Memorandum of Understanding EditOn 21 December 2011 Israeli minister of public security Avi Dichter with the Cypriot Minister of Interior Eleni Mavrou signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU ensuring the mutual protection and assistance between the two countries in the field of disaster management and civil protection The MoU provides for collaboration and sharing practices on how to prepare the population for disasters and crises 73 74 Environmental cooperation EditA new desalination plant operates in Limassol launched by the National Water Company Mekorot The desalination plant has the capacity to produce up to 40 000 cubic metres 11 000 000 US gal of desalinated potable water daily At the inauguration of the plant in August 2013 there were present both President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Israeli Minister of Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom 75 76 Cypriot Minister of Agriculture Nicos Kouyalis and Israel Minister of Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom met between 24 and 27 August 2013 during which they discussed issues pertaining to water development management and protection based on the larger framework of the Memorandum of Understanding There was high level of discussion at a technocratic level which is targeting at the further reinforcement of the cooperation and the exchange of experiences and knowledge particularly relating to urban waste water treatment and the use of recycled water in agriculture 77 Cyprus fires in June 2016 EditCyprus on 18 June asked help from Israel after a fire was raging out of control in Argaka and other forest areas close to Evrychou which had approximately burned seventeen square kilometres of wild vegetation hay and pine forest and could not be brought under control due to strong winds Israel immediately sent three airtankers on 19 June and an additional plane carrying 36 cubic meters of firefighting foam flew to the island on 20 June per the Cypriot government request 78 79 Greece Britain Italy and France also sent helicopters and planes to aid in the firefighting efforts On 20 June Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the weekly Cabinet meeting announced he was pleased his country was able to extend assistance to Cyprus in order to put out the fire that broke out near Argaka and recalled that in 2010 during the massive Mount Carmel forest fire the first person to contact for assistance was the president of Cyprus Demetris Christofias 80 Cyprus 81 dispatched its only helicopter and plane to assist in the fire fighting effort On 28 June Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades thanked from his bottom of his heart the prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu in their telephone conversation Educational collaboration EditIn June 2016 Cyprus and Israel signed a programme of cooperation in the sectors of culture education and science for a period of three years 2016 2019 during an official visit of the Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture Costas Kadis to Israel Cyprus Minister Costas Kadis visited Israel between 22 and 23 of June at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett 82 During their meeting both Ministers emphasised the importance of strengthening the cooperation of the two countries in the field of education and especially in higher education Naftali Benntett accepted the invitation of the Cypriot Minister to visit Cyprus with representatives of Universities and Research Centres of Israel to continue the dialogue and to identify areas of common interest for cooperation in higher education 83 Cultural collaboration Edit Iron age Cypriot White Painted Ware displayed at Israeli National Maritime Museum Haifa With the initiative of Cyprus Ministry of Education a number of exchange programmes have been funded between Israeli and Cypriot students from years 12 to 18 The Israeli Yacht club and Famagusta District Sailing Club organised between 1 4 October 2012 the first Cyprus Israel Regatta during which participants sailed from Larnaca to Tel Aviv 84 In August 2012 both countries signed a treaty to cooperate in forming a bank that will host the important amount of data which results from the numerous excavations that are conducted in both Israel and Cyprus 85 On 18 May 2013 Cypriot public was offered the opportunity to experience Israeli culture at the New Theatre Building of THOC in Nicosia through an exclusive series of cultural events and artistic happenings Those who attended experienced some of Israel s best works of art including theatre children s puppet show films and a photograph exhibition 86 Diplomacy EditRepublic of CyprusTel Aviv Embassy Republic of IsraelNicosia Embassy Visits Edit Poster exhibition about Israel in Onasagorou Street by students of Frederick University in English and Greek Guest Host Place of visit Date of visit President Demetris Christofias President Shimon Peres Tel Aviv Israel March 2011 President Shimon Peres President Demetris Christofias Larnaca Cyprus November 2011 Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis Limassol Cyprus December 2011 Defence Minister of Cyprus Demetris Eliades Defence Minister Ehud Barak Jerusalem 8 January 2012 Leader of the Opposition Nicos Anastasiades President Shimon Peres Jerusalem 9 12 January 2012 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu President Demetris Christofias Nicosia Cyprus February 2012 Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem April 2013 Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis Energy Minister Uzi Landau Jerusalem April 2013 Defense Minister Fotis Fotiou Defense Minister Moshe Ya alon Tel Aviv Israel 2 May 2013 President Nicos Anastasiades Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem 5 7 May 2013 Minister of Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom Energy and Trade Minister George Lakkotrypis Nicosia Cyprus 8 August 2013 Minister of Agriculture Nicos Kouyialis Minister of Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom Tel Aviv Israel 24 27 August 2013 Knesset Speaker Yuli Yoel Edelstein President of Parliament Yiannakis Omirou Nicosia Cyprus 1 3 September 2013 Minister of Tourism Uzi Landau President Nicos Anastasiades Nicosia Cyprus November 2013 Minister of Defence Fotis Fotiou Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem 12 13 January 2014 Minister of Defence Moshe Ya alon Minister of Defence Fotis Fotiou Paphos Cyprus February 2014 Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulidis President Shimon Peres Jerusalem 19 20 February 2014 Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman President Nicos Anastasiades Nicosia Cyprus 5 6 November 2014 President Nicos Anastasiades Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem June 2015 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu President Nicos Anastasiades Nicosia Cyprus 28 July 2015 Minister of Health Giorgos Pamporidis Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman Tel Aviv Israel January 2016 Minister of Defence Moshe Ya alon Minister of Defence Christoforos Fokaides Nicosia Cyprus 24 February 2016 Minister of Education and Culture Costas Kadis Minister of Education Naftali Bennett Jerusalem 22 23 June 2016 Minister of Transportation Marios Demetriadis Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz Tel Aviv Israel 14 July 2016 President Nicos Anastasiades Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem 24 July 2016 President Reuven Rivlin President Nicos Anastasiades Nicosia Cyprus 12 February 2019 President Nicos Anastasiades Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem Israel 14 February 2021 Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides Pafos Cyprus April 2021 Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides Foreign Minister Yair Lapid Israel July 2021 Minister of Defense Benny Gantz Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis Cyprus May June 2022Country comparison Edit Cyprus IsraelPopulation 1 207 827 9 039 370Area 9 251 km2 3 572sq mi 20 770 km2 8 019 mi Population density 117 km2 221 sq mi 347 km2 925 sq mi Capital Nicosia JerusalemLargest city Nicosia 398 293 Jerusalem 936 425Government Presidential republic Parliamentary republicOfficial languages Greek and Turkish HebrewCurrent leader President Nicos Anastasiades President Isaac Herzog Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuMain religions citation needed 81 Christianity 18 Muslim 1 Others 75 4 Jews 20 6 Muslim 7 8 OthersEthnic groups citation needed 78 9 Greek Cypriot 18 2 Turkish Cypriot 75 4 Jews 20 6 Arab 4 1 OthersGDP nominal US 24 949 billion US 30 570 per capita US 236 994 billion 31 467 per capita Military expenditures 510 000 000 1 8 of GDP 50 600 000 000 6 9 of GDP Military Troops 13 000 176 500English Speakers 87 84 97 Labour Forces 403 000 3 227 000See also EditEnergy Triangle International recognition of Israel Foreign relations of Cyprus Kindness in Cyprus Israel EU relationsReferences Edit Israel s New Allies The National Interest 2012 02 02 Retrieved 17 April 2016 Cyprus seeks to import Israeli gas by 2015 Globes 2012 09 04 Offshore Gateway eu 2012 01 27 EuroAsia Interconnector Project Israel Cyprus Greece Offshore Gateway Archived from the original on 2012 09 04 Retrieved 2012 01 27 Ofer Dalia 1996 Holocaust Survivors as Immigrants The Case of Israel and the Cyprus Detainees Modern Judaism 16 1 1 23 doi 10 1093 mj 16 1 1 JSTOR 1396144 a b Neofytou Israel our most reliable partner Archived from the original on 3 December 2013 Retrieved 17 April 2016 Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Tel Aviv Cyprus Israel Bilateral Relations Retrieved 17 April 2016 Knesset speaker to visit Cyprus Mail 2013 08 30 Retrieved 17 April 2016 Peres meets Cypriot President Anastasiades GxMSDev Retrieved 17 April 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Releases Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 17 April 2016 Cyprus cooperation with Israel is no threat to anyone Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 17 April 2016 Israel and Cyprus to Improve Military Cooperation Latest News Briefs Arutz Sheva Arutz Sheva 2 May 2013 Retrieved 17 April 2016 News Desk 17 February 2014 Israeli Fighter Jets Challenge Cypriot Air Defense in Mock Battle Exercise Retrieved 17 April 2016 CyprusNewsReport Com Retrieved 17 April 2016 Cyprus and Israel hold military exercises Archived from the original on 12 February 2014 Retrieved 17 April 2016 i24news 21 October 2014 Israel Cyprus hold joint military drill i24news Retrieved 17 April 2016 Defense Cyprus Israel exercise Onisilos Gideon successful General news ANSAMed it 22 October 2014 Retrieved 17 April 2016 Cyprus and Israel sign agreement on civil protection Cyprus Mail Archived from the original on 2012 12 30 Retrieved 2012 12 23 http www isa gov il Download IsaFile 1091 pdf bare URL PDF Israel s National Water Company Mekorot launches Cyprus desalination plant The Jerusalem Post JPost com Retrieved 17 April 2016 Energy Israel minister Shalom to visit Cyprus Economy ANSAMed it Retrieved 17 April 2016 Financial Mirror dot com Negotiations for LNG terminal enter substantive phase Cyprus Energy Minister says 6 August 2013 Retrieved 17 April 2016 Israel extends assistance to Cyprus as fires burn famagusta gazette com Archived from the original on 2016 06 20 Retrieved 2016 09 04 Britain Greece Israel help fight forest fire in Cyprus Reuters 2016 06 20 Retrieved 2016 09 04 Netanyahu says happy to help with Argaka fire remanded pair deny starting blaze Update 6 2016 06 19 Cyprus helps aid teams at huge forest fire Famagusta gazette com 2009 07 15 Archived from the original on 2012 03 11 Retrieved 2012 01 16 Minister of Education to pay official visit to Israel 2016 06 22 Cyprus and Israel to cooperate in the sectors of culture News Notice of Race 2012 Archived from the original on 2013 01 20 Retrieved 2012 11 26 Cyprus and Israel to cooperate in forming database for archaeology Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 17 April 2016 Cyprus Israel Open Night Retrieved 17 April 2016 External links EditIsraeli embassy in Cyprus official website Cyprus Tel Aviv embassy Cyprus Israel Business Association Civil Marriages of Israelis in Cyprus Israeli paper on national interest on Cyprus Israel relations Portals Politics Cyprus Israel Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cyprus Israel relations amp oldid 1133904109, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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