Israel's election campaign no longer appears confined within its own borders, after billboards written in Hebrew appeared at points along Cyprus' roads, including near Zygi, prompting strong reactions and opening a debate over the presence of foreign political advertising on Cypriot soil. The billboard features Gadi Eisenkot, former Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli armed forces and founder of the Yashar party. The accompanying message reads, "Israelis, enjoy yourselves. You deserve it." Cyprus' selection is not considered coincidental, since the country is one of the most popular destinations for Israeli travellers, and in recent years the number of those living permanently or spending long periods in Cyprus has also grown significantly.
Israelis in Cyprus
According to unofficial estimates, around 15,000 to 20,000 Israelis live in Cyprus, though there is no clear, official record, since several hold dual nationality or have not registered as permanent residents. The presence of a campaign billboard on a major motorway appears to be an attempt to reach this community, as well as the thousands of Israelis who visit Cyprus on holiday.
The Interior Ministry stays out
The billboard's appearance has raised questions about the institutional and legal framework governing the placement of political advertising for foreign parties in the Republic of Cyprus. A source close to the Interior Ministry, asked by Politis, said that since this does not concern Cypriot elections, the ministry has no jurisdiction in the matter and therefore no position to take. It should be stressed that the reactions are not limited to the content of the message itself, but chiefly concern whether Cyprus can be used as a staging ground for another country's election campaign. Posts from citizens on social media prompted the company that owns the billboard to close its comments section, after a wave of user comments questioning whether a billboard can be rented out to someone without any check being made on who they are.
Ballots on 27 October
The 27 October election, the last possible date under Israeli law, is approaching, with the Knesset heading toward the end of its term in mid-July. The contest is taking on the character of a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu, as citizens are asked to judge his handling of events since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza in 2023. Of around 6.8 million eligible voters, turnout is expected to exceed the 70% recorded in the previous election, when 4.8 million people voted, driven by the heightened political climate. At 76, the longest-serving leader in the country's history is seeking power once again, aiming, as he argues, for a broad cross-party government without dependence on the Arab parties. On the other side, Gadi Eisenkot is putting forward an alternative bid for power. His decision to extend his campaign as far as Cyprus shows that, on the road to what comes next, no vote is taken for granted, even one cast from outside the country's borders.
