A coalition of Cypriot activist organisations has publicly questioned the strong endorsement of Israel's right to self-defence, recently expressed by Presidents Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus and Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece. This joint declaration was made during a recent visit to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The groups argue that this statement, which referenced Article 51 of the UN Charter, contradicts established international legal principles and overlooks the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
The statement, issued by Genocide-Free Cyprus, Cyprus Palestine Solidarity Action, and Far Right Watch CY, asserts that the Cypriot and Greek leaders’ affirmation uncritically validates actions they believe constitute genocide. The activists maintain that Israel's military operations do not satisfy the strict requirements for self-defence as defined by international law, particularly concerning territoriality, proportionality, and necessity.
Crucially, their argument centres on the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) July 2024 ruling, which determined Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territory to be unlawful. The activist groups also dispute the notion that Israel’s occupation of Gaza ended in 2005, presenting evidence they claim demonstrates ongoing effective Israeli control over the area. They insist that Gaza has been under illegal occupation since 1967, a position they state is supported by numerous international bodies, including the United Nations and the ICJ.
The activists further draw parallels to the ICJ's precedent in the Nicaragua v. United States case. This case established that any act of self-defence must be demonstrably necessary and proportionate to repelling an immediate armed attack. They contend that the extensive destruction and loss of life in Gaza far exceed any conceivable necessity or proportionality in response to the Hamas attacks of October 7th.
Echoing these concerns, the organisations referenced a 2024 statement by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. He acknowledged that while the Hamas attacks were reprehensible, "nothing can justify the scale of death and destruction in Gaza since then—a level unprecedented in recent history." The activist groups interpret Israel’s continuous and extensive use of force, which they perceive as lacking functional relevance to genuine self-defence, as meeting the legal definition of genocide. They draw a stark comparison to historical devastation rarely seen outside specific geopolitical contexts.
The joint declaration by Presidents Christodoulides and Mitsotakis, which stated, "We affirm Israel’s right to self-defence under international law and reject baseless allegations against Israel," has thus become a focal point of dissent. The activist groups’ statement represents a significant public challenge to the official diplomatic stance of both the Cypriot and Greek governments, igniting a crucial debate on the interpretation and application of international law amidst the ongoing conflict. This public discord raises profound questions about how governments engage with complex geopolitical situations and the ethical obligations that accompany declarations of support for allies engaged in armed conflict.