NICOSIA – A coalition of Cypriot activist organisations has publicly challenged the unequivocal endorsement of Israel's right to self-defence, recently articulated by Presidents Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus and Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece during a joint visit to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The groups contend that this declaration, which invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter, contravenes established international legal principles and fails to acknowledge the severity of the humanitarian crisis 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 legitimises actions that, in their view, constitute genocide. The activists argue that Israel's military operations do not meet the stringent criteria for self-defence as defined by international law, specifically concerning the principles of territoriality, proportionality, and necessity.
Central to their argument is the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) July 2024 ruling, which declared Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territory to be unlawful. The activist groups further dispute the notion that Israel’s occupation of Gaza concluded in 2005, citing evidence that they claim demonstrates continued effective Israeli control over the territory. They maintain that Gaza has remained under an illegal occupation since 1967, a position they assert is corroborated by numerous international bodies, including the United Nations, the ICJ, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and a spectrum of international human rights organisations.
The activists also draw parallels with the ICJ's precedent in the Nicaragua v. United States case, which established that any act of self-defence must be demonstrably necessary and proportionate to repelling an immediate armed attack. They contend that the scale of destruction and loss of life in Gaza far exceeds 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, who 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 the extensive and continuous use of force by Israel, with what they perceive as a lack of functional relevance to genuine self-defence, as meeting the legal definition of genocide. They draw a stark comparison to historical instances, noting that such devastation is rarely seen outside of contexts like Nazi Germany, except in 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 therefore 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.