The Middle East today is undergoing one of the most profound transformations in decades. New alliances are forming, traditional fault lines are shifting, and global powers are recalibrating their engagement with the region.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, I have not witnessed such dramatic geopolitical shifts concentrated in one region as we are now seeing in the Middle East. In this context, the partnership between Israel and Cyprus is more vital than ever, anchoring regional stability, enhancing European-Middle Eastern ties, and creating practical opportunities in energy, defense, and people-to-people relations.
As a European Union member state on the edge of the Middle East, Cyprus occupies a unique position and serves as a natural bridge between Europe and a region in flux.
Its security and prosperity are directly shaped by the turbulence around it, from conflicts in the wider Levant to instability in the Gulf. Yet Cyprus is not merely a bystander.
It has developed a strong diplomatic presence across the Middle East and North Africa, maintaining ties with Arab states, the Gulf monarchies, and beyond. This dual identity, firmly European, yet deeply engaged in the region, makes Cyprus an indispensable partner for Israel.
Israel and Cyprus share a partnership rooted in shared security concerns and common opportunities.
Security-wise, the two countries have built a robust framework of cooperation, with joint exercises and intelligence exchanges that enhance both nations’ defenses. Strategically, Cyprus provides Israel with airspace and training zones, while Israel contributes critical technological expertise and intelligence.
Perhaps the most visible dimension of this partnership lies in energy. The discovery of natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean has transformed the region’s strategic calculus.
Israel and Cyprus, together with Greece, have cooperated on ambitious projects to bring these resources to European markets, diversifying Europe’s energy supply and bolstering regional economic interdependence. For both nations, energy is not only about profits but about geopolitical leverage, strengthening ties with the EU, and reducing dependence on less stable suppliers.
Importantly, Cyprus has also taken a principled stance against antisemitism, working with Jewish communities and international organizations to ensure that hatred finds no safe harbor on the island. Today, trade, investment, and real estate development further intertwine the two economies, while a growing Israeli community has taken root in Cyprus, enriching its social and cultural landscape.
Cyprus is no stranger to Middle East complexities
Cyprus has also long navigated the complexities of Middle Eastern politics. In 1988, it recognized a state of Palestine, a decision rooted in its historical and regional context.
Today, however, Cyprus is not expected to take new or radical positions on this sensitive issue. Instead, it seeks to maintain its balanced diplomatic posture while expanding practical cooperation with Israel. This pragmatic approach reflects a recognition that shared interests and values are best served by strengthening bilateral ties without becoming entangled in zero-sum disputes.
Beyond security and energy, Israel and Cyprus are linked by shared values that resonate deeply within both societies. Israel is home to a growing Christian population, unique in a region where Christian communities are often shrinking under pressure. For many Cypriots, this creates a sense of affinity and moral kinship, reinforcing the idea that Israel is not only a partner but also a society where cultural and religious diversity is preserved and respected.
This understanding and cooperation is underpinned by everyday connections. More than 180 weekly flights link Israeli cities with Cyprus, making travel quick and affordable.
Israelis are now the second largest group of tourists to the island, after the British, contributing significantly to its economy and cultural exchange. These movements of people are not one-way. Cypriot students, business leaders, and professionals increasingly see Israel as a hub of innovation and opportunity. Such ties cement the relationship at the human level, ensuring that strategic alignment is reinforced by public goodwill.
The Center for Jewish Impact has long emphasized that diplomacy cannot be conducted only in boardrooms and ministries. True resilience in international relations comes from the ties between people, students, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens, who weave a fabric of trust that no political crisis can easily unravel.
It is in this spirit that, in about a week in New York, the Center for Jewish Impact, together with B’nai B’rith International, will host a special event honoring the president of Cyprus, a reminder of the importance of recognizing true friends and steadfast partners in a time of profound change.
Strengthening these people-to-people connections between Israelis and Cypriots, and between Israel and international partners more broadly, is therefore not a secondary priority but a central mission.
In a region where alliances shift with dizzying speed, the Israel-Cyprus partnership stands out as a stable, pragmatic, and forward-looking relationship. It is grounded in shared history, enriched by common values, and strengthened by tangible cooperation in security, energy, and tourism.
As the Middle East enters a new era of uncertainty and competition, Israel and Cyprus can together demonstrate how small states, bound by trust and strategic vision, can help anchor stability and chart a path toward prosperity.
The lesson of this moment is clear: In times of dramatic change, alliances built on both strategic interests and human connection are the ones that endure. For Israel and Cyprus, the future of their partnership is not only promising but exciting and indispensable.
The writer is the chairman of the Center for Jewish Impact and a former CEO of the World Jewish Congress and World ORT.