A recent wave of Israeli real estate purchases in Cyprus has ignited a surge of antisemitic rhetoric and political agitation on the island. The backlash peaked during a recent congress of AKEL, Cyprus’s second-largest party, where party secretary-general Stefanos Stefanou claimed that Israelis buying land near critical infrastructure and sensitive areas pose a serious national threat. “If we don’t take effective action now, one day we’ll find that this country is no longer ours,” Stefanou warned, alleging that Israeli buyers are part of a broader strategy involving the creation of closed communities, Zionist schools, synagogues and influence over key economic sectors. He accused the government of allowing “uncontrolled” land sales and called on President Nikos Christodoulides to intervene immediately.

Stefanou insisted his remarks were not motivated by xenophobia or antisemitism, but by genuine concerns over national sovereignty, claiming that this is how “Jews took over land” in Israel as well. He also accused Israelis of purchasing property in the Turkish-occupied north of the island. However, he ignored the fact that citizens of other non-EU countries are also actively investing in Cypriot real estate.

In a highly unusual move, Palestinian Ambassador to Cyprus Abdullah Atari addressed the congress as a speaker—the first time a foreign envoy has done so at a domestic party event. Cyprus is set to hold parliamentary elections this June, and some observers believe AKEL is using its criticism of Israel to rally voter support.

AKEL, a leftist party with communist roots, has long held an anti-Israel stance that has hardened since October 7. While it frequently condemns Israeli actions in Gaza using terms such as “genocide,” “ethnic cleansing” and “war crimes,” this marked the first time its leader publicly employed overtly antisemitic language.