Israeli election campaign billboards face backlash in Greek Cyprus
Campaign billboards supporting an Israeli opposition politician have triggered controversy in Greek Cyprus, irking locals over Israel’s growing presence and prompting calls for tighter rules on foreign political campaigning.
The large roadside advertisements promote Gadi Eisenkot, the former Israeli military chief who leads Israel’s Yashar party, near Larnaca airport ahead of Israel’s parliamentary elections scheduled for Oct. 27.
Placed along routes used by travelers to and from the airport, the campaign targets Israeli citizens visiting the Greek Cypriot side of the island during the holiday season.
Reports suggest that about 590,000 Israelis visited the Greek Cypriot Administration in 2025, making Israel the second-largest tourism source after the U.K. and accounting for about 13 percent of all tourist arrivals.
