Nicosia.- Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his wish this Thursday that Israel and Lebanon could hold negotiations on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, despite the fact that both countries do not maintain diplomatic relations.
“My dream is that the President of Lebanon, you, and I can meet here,” said the head of the State of Israel while addressing the Cypriot President, Nikos Christodoulides, with whom he met in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, a member country of the European Union.
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“I believe we must move towards peace in our region, ensuring that terrorism is rejected and eradicated, and that life thrives among nations and peoples for the well-being of the entire region and the world,” stated Herzog, as reported by the Cypriot Presidency in a statement.
“I bring a message of friendship from Israel and I hope that together we can further strengthen the unique partnership between our peoples and nations,” added Herzog.
Israel Lebanon
Last March, there was speculation about the possibility of Cyprus hosting peace negotiations between Israel and the Islamist group Hezbollah, although these did not ultimately materialize.
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Christodoulides referred to Herzog as “a personal friend of Cyprus” and expressed his desire to hold talks that would allow for strengthening the “strategic partnership at all levels” between both countries.
Israel Lebanon and Cyprus
Pro-Palestinian Cypriot activists plan to hold a protest in front of the presidential palace following the meeting between both leaders.
The organizers described the visit as a “huge provocation” due to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, as well as the increase in settler violence in the West Bank.
