Violence Erupts As Businesses Are Targeted In Anti-Immigrant Protests In Cyprus
Cyprus has been on the edge. Last Friday, Limassol became the epicentre of a wave of anti-migrant movement when more than 1,000 individuals gathered to protest against fascism, spurred by the violent anti-migrant riots that shook the city. The event, organised by AKEL, came as a response to violence aimed at migrants – an issue that’s been slowly boiling beneath the surface.
But, what is the root cause of these tensions? Alexandra Attalides, Greens deputy, asserts that the extremist party Elam and specific politicians are responsible for cultivating such antagonism. Elam, in particular, has “weaponised migrants to build its support.” Attalides’ criticism of their divisive tactics has made her a regular target of Elam and its affiliates.
To provide context, these tensions were publicly exhibited in Chlorakas where a rally demanded the expulsion of migrants. The situation quickly escalated with reports of attacks on foreigners, vandalism, and clashes with the police. Such events are a direct reflection of the ideologies promoted by Elam and endorsed, to some extent, by politicians seeking electoral gain.
Reflecting on the situation, one cannot help but draw parallels with Malta, that has also grappled with its fair share of migration challenges. Both Cyprus and Malta lie on the migratory route to Europe and often find themselves dealing with the complexities of integrating newcomers while balancing national interests. Yet, the overarching sentiment in Malta, although not devoid of its tensions, has generally been more restrained. Such examples remind us that political narratives significantly influence public opinion and actions.
The events in Cyprus don’t just stop at anti-migrant rallies. Tensions were further exacerbated when a British tourist reported a gang rape incident, resulting in the arrest of five Israeli nationals. Additionally, international politics came into play with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis reaffirming their commitment to reinforce energy cooperation.
The political leadership in Cyprus faces a daunting task – managing the immediate fallout from these incidents while addressing underlying tensions. To avoid a situation that further polarises the Cypriot society, there’s an urgent need for leaders from all sides to come together and promote a message of unity and understanding.
As tensions in the immigration scene rise in both countries, we only hope for peaceful solutions.
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