The Israel Allies Foundation has been established with six MPs from three political parties, in a move its supporters say will strengthen parliamentary cooperation between Cyprus and Israel.
The initiative was launched at an event at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, attended by Israel’s new ambassador to Cyprus, Souli Davidovitz, former President Nicos Anastasiades, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas, DIKO leader Nicolas Papadopoulos and US Ambassador John Breslow.
The six MPs will work with the Israel Allies Foundation Europe as part of a network promoting cooperation based on shared religious values and parliamentary diplomacy.
Six MPs from three parties join initiative
The Cypriot group consists of:
- DISY: George Karoullas and Charalambos Petrides
- ELAM: Sotiris Ioannou and Marios Pelekanos
- DIKO: Andreas Apostolou and Chrysis Pantelides, who will lead the group
Pantelides, a DIKO MP and president of the foundation’s chapter, said closer cooperation between countries that share common values was increasingly important.
He described the initiative as a commitment to freedom, democracy, diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation, adding that parliamentary networks based on religious beliefs also had a role in international relations.
Pantelides highlighted cooperation between Cyprus and Israel in defence and security, cybersecurity, energy, tourism, healthcare, trade, research, education, agriculture and innovation.
He also referred to the security challenges facing both countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and called for action to strengthen their cooperation.
Israeli ambassador highlights shared interests
Davidovitz said the establishment of the Cyprus chapter reflected the continued development of relations between the two countries.
In her first public remarks since taking up her post, she praised the Cypriot government’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties, describing relations as increasingly strong and important to both countries.
She said governments laid the foundations for cooperation, but MPs, civil society leaders, religious organisations and others helped build lasting relationships.
The ambassador added that the new chapter demonstrated that ties between Cyprus and Israel extended beyond diplomatic relations to include shared values, mutual security interests and a common vision for a stable and prosperous Eastern Mediterranean.
She also thanked the MPs who supported the initiative, saying the broad political backing reflected the importance attached to parliamentary cooperation.
Foundation says Cyprus group is its 68th worldwide
Israel Allies Foundation president Josh Reinstein described his earlier meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides as “truly exceptional” and welcomed the support the organisation receives from three Cypriot political parties.
He said the Cyprus group was the foundation’s 68th, following the establishment of its 67th group in Greece. The network spans six continents and includes more than 1,700 parliamentarians.
Reinstein attributed several international initiatives supporting Israel to the foundation’s faith-based diplomacy. He also pointed to what he described as an unprecedented partnership involving the United States, Israel, Cyprus and Greece.
He cited regional infrastructure and energy projects, including an undersea fibre-optic cable and natural gas developments, as opportunities to strengthen the Eastern Mediterranean’s role in international connectivity. He also referred to the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Reinstein said the foundation hoped the cooperation would bring mutual benefits to Cyprus, Israel, Greece and the United States.
Also read: Iris 2026: Impressive footage from the final day of the exercise
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
