Greek Cypriot historian Jerry Kossifos criticized Israel's presence in Southern Cyprus and the US role in the 1974 Peace Operation

Greek Cypriot historian and retired academic Jerry Kossifos made remarkable statements in the program of Greek European Parliament (EP) Member of Parliament Fidias Panayiotou, from Israel's increasing presence in the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus to the Cyprus issue, from the events of 1963 to Turkey's power in the region. Kossifos' statements especially attracted attention with his warnings regarding Israeli land and real estate purchases in Southern Cyprus.

'WE SHOULD NOT SELL OUR LAND'

Arguing that Israelis' land purchases in Southern Cyprus should be prevented, Kossifos claimed that those who leave the country due to the security environment in Israel may turn to Cyprus. Kossifos said, "We must stop selling our lands. One day, they will be able to buy our best lands, just like they bought the best lands in Palestine."

When Panayiotou asked whether the Israelis would apply a similar method in Cyprus to what they followed in Palestine, Kossifos argued that the Israelis' aim was "to survive". Kossifos said, "If they cannot live in Israel, they will try to live elsewhere, just as they saw the danger and left. They will try to live in Cyprus, on our lands."

'THEY WILL CREATE A SECOND ISRAEL IN CYPRUS'

Kossifos claimed that if the process of immigration and property acquisition from Israel to Southern Cyprus continues, a "second Israel" may emerge in the south of the island. "They will create a second Israel in Cyprus," said Kossifos, and argued that the current laws on the Greek side allow this. Stating that the Greek administration should intervene in land sales to foreigners, Kossifos said that the increasing demand makes it difficult for Greek youth to own housing.

Stating that the power struggle in the Middle East will directly affect the Island, Kossifos argued that the regional interests of Türkiye and Israel are increasingly coming into conflict. Kossifos said, "Turkey has its own interests, Israel has its own interests," and suggested that if the conflicts continue as they are, there may be a conflict between the two countries. When asked by Panayiotou whether both sides would try to influence Cyprus, Kossifos said, "Of course. Israel is already buying our land."

'I WOULD NOT TRY TO FORM AN ALLIANCE WITH ISRAEL'

Kossifos also opposed the relations developed by the Greek administration with Israel. Panayiotou's question "What would you do if you were the President of the Republic of Cyprus?" On the question, Kossifos said, "I would not try to establish an alliance with Israel."

Pointing to the developments in Palestine, Kossifos accused the Israeli government of "committing genocide" and said that asking for help from such a government would not be compatible with his values. The Greek historian also argued that European countries should impose sanctions on Israel.

'WE STARTED IT, WE TREATED BADLY THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS'

One of Kossifos' most striking statements in the interview was regarding the 1963 period. Referring to the Greek side's practices towards the Turkish Cypriots, Kossifos said, "We made huge mistakes." Kossifos said, "We started in 1963. We treated the Turkish Cypriots badly at the beginning." Explaining that there were serious incidents against Turkish Cypriots in some villages, Kossifos said that he was also doing research on this issue. "They were Cypriots. We always lived together, friendly," Kossifos said.

Kossifos also said that relations between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should be redeveloped. Stating that it is wrong to alienate the two communities from each other, Kossifos called on the Greeks to establish more contact with the Turkish Cypriots. Kossifos said, "We should visit them, they should come to visit us. We should do events together, eat together."

PRAISE FOR TURKEY'S DIPLOMACY

Evaluating Turkey's regional policy, Kossifos drew attention to the historical power of Turkish diplomacy. Stating that Turkey can establish relations with Russia, China and the USA at the same time, Kossifos said, "Türkiye looks after its own interests."

Kossifos said, "Turks have historically had one of the best diplomatic traditions in the world. The diplomacy of the Ottoman Empire has always been strong." Stating that Turkey acts according to its own national interests among the great powers, Kossifos argued that Greek Cypriot and Greek politics could not show the same diplomatic success.

'WE SHOULD ESTABLISH GOOD RELATIONS WITH Türkiye'

Calling on the Greek side to re-evaluate its relations with Türkiye, Kossifos cited the developing economic relations between Greece and Türkiye as an example. Kossifos argued that establishing good relations with Türkiye is also important for the future of the Cyprus issue, and said that the reconciliation between Türkiye and Greece will facilitate the solution of the problem on the island. Kossifos stated that Turkey follows regional developments closely and is successful in protecting its own interests.

HE POINTED TO KISSINGER AND THE USA FOR THE 1974 CYPRUS PEACE OPERATION

Kossifos also made statements about the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation that differed from the established narrative on the Greek side. Saying that he did not place the main responsibility for the division of the island on Turkey, Kossifos pointed to the then US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and the USA and England. The Greek historian said, "The Turks did not divide Cyprus. Kissinger did," and said that the USA and England gave the green light to the developments. Arguing that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used Turkey and the junta in Greece in line with its own policy, Kossifos said that the Greek Cypriots should not put all the responsibility on the Turks.

'THERE SHOULD BE NO HATE AGAINST TURKEY'

Kossifos also criticized the establishment of hostility towards the Turkish people since 1974. Kossifos argued that what happened in Cyprus should be evaluated within the framework of the Cold War conditions and the policies of the great powers, and said, "Cypriots should not have this hatred towards Turkey."

Kossifos said that the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean will further increase the strategic importance of Cyprus. Describing the island as "an unsinkable aircraft carrier", Kossifos claimed that the US could further increase its military presence in Cyprus if its military structure in the Middle East changes. Kossifos stated that the regional interests of Türkiye, Israel and the USA could directly affect the future of the Cyprus issue.

HE DEFENDED ENOSIS

Although the Greek historian advocates improving relations with Türkiye and Turkish Cypriots, he clearly said in the interview that he did not give up the idea of Enosis. Stating that he supported the union with Greece since his youth, Kossifos argued that Cyprus should unite with Greece. To Panayiotou's assessment that Greece "betrayed" Cyprus in the past, Kossifos replied, "It was not the Greek people who betrayed you. It was the junta, which was the tool of the CIA."

'THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS FROZEN'