‘Trying to dominate’: In Cyprus, some fear Israel’s growing influence

Nicosia and Limassol, Cyprus – Heavily bearded and wearing a loose shirt collar, Christos Achniotis speaks about the history and demographics of Cyprus and runs off dates from memory. He was 16 when Turkish troops landed in Cyprus in mid-1974. At one point, Limassol has long had a large Russian community, he said, but that revolved around property investments. Now, he believes there is pressure from Israel, which he says is “trying to dominate as much as possible, land-wise, company-wise”, as well as politically and militarily. Israel’s reach in Cyprus now runs through the state’s most vital systems. Mekorot, Israel’s state water company, helps supply the island’s water.