‘Turkey is a common enemy’: Pro-Israel network forms parliamentary groups in Greece and Cyprus

What Happened

Pro-Israel lobby groups, specifically the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), have recently expanded their activities in Cyprus and Greece. On 14 October, the IAF launched parliamentary caucuses in Cyprus, attended by members of the Democratic Party (Diko), Democratic Rally (DISY), and the National Popular Front (Elam), with IAF president Josh Reinstein framing Turkey as a common adversary. Simultaneously, AIPAC delegates met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to discuss security partnerships. In Greece, reports indicate that a caucus was established following a private meeting on 12 October involving former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, though full membership remains undisclosed.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The formation of these parliamentary groups signals a strategic effort to institutionalize Israeli influence within European legislative bodies, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean. This development has triggered domestic political backlash in Cyprus and Greece, where critics argue that such lobbying efforts risk compromising national sovereignty, exacerbating regional tensions with Turkey, and aligning these nations with Israeli policies amid ongoing international legal scrutiny regarding the conflict in Gaza.

Watch For

Monitor potential transparency measures or parliamentary debates in Nicosia and Athens regarding the disclosure of caucus membership. Additionally, observe whether these parliamentary groups successfully influence legislative agendas or official government stances on Israel-Palestine, and track any further reactions from political parties like Akel and MeRA25 regarding the role of foreign lobbies in domestic governance.