A coalition of political parties and civil society organisations has called for a protest outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on Tuesday evening, ahead of a two-day meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace taking place in Cyprus.
The protest is scheduled for 7:00pm on June 30, the opening day of the Gaza Board of Peace meeting, which runs until July 1.
The groups are calling on the Cyprus government to withdraw its support for the body, which they describe as illegitimate. They argue it sidelines the United Nations and undermines international law, and that it excludes Palestinians from decisions about their own future while Israel, the occupying power, holds a seat on the Board.
The signatories say more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed during what they call a ceasefire, and that the occupation and blockade of Gaza continue alongside bombardments, forced displacement, starvation and the obstruction of humanitarian aid. “This is not peace,” the statement says.
The groups also object to plans they describe as the “Gaza Riviera,” saying these are based on the displacement and removal of Palestinians rather than justice and reconstruction, and warning this sets a dangerous precedent for the wider region.
The coalition is calling on Cyprus to uphold international law, United Nations resolutions and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
The protest is organised by the Alliance Against the Far Right, Fascism and Racism; the Cyprus Peace Council; Accept LGBTI Cyprus; AKEL; Volt Cyprus; AFOA Left Wing; Spirithkia; BDS Cyprus; Cyprus Palestine Solidarity Action; Far Right Watch Cy; Genocide-Free Cyprus; Global Sumud Cyprus; United for Palestine Cyprus; Voices for Palestine Cyprus; New Internationalist Left; KISA; and Ergatiki Dimokratia.
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