Reports of major Israeli-linked property acquisitions in a southern Cypriot village have renewed scrutiny of Tel Aviv’s expanding economic and strategic footprint across Greece and Greek-administered Cyprus.
Reports of major Israeli-linked property acquisitions in a southern Cypriot village have renewed scrutiny of Tel Aviv’s expanding economic and strategic footprint across Greece and Greek-administered Cyprus.in an abandoned village in Greek-administered Cyprus by an Israeli-linked ‘investor’ has caused a region-wide firestorm, shining a spotlight on what critics describe as Israel’s growing influence in The abandoned village of Trozena is located roughly 130 kilometres from the divided capital Lefkosa. in 1963-64, Trozena’s sale – totalling around 94 plots across approximately 25 acres to a company tied to Hungarian-Israeli investor Uriel Kertesz – has beenAnalysts paint a picture of strategic deepening of Israeli influence that extends far beyond real estate, threatening demography, sovereignty, and regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Island of Cyprus, which is geographically an extension of the Anatolian peninsula, is home to two distinct peoples: the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. Ethnic attacks starting in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves in the northern parts of the island for their safety.aimed at Greece’s annexation of the island led to Türkiye’s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence.
TRT World that Trozena is a former Turkish village where Turkish Cypriots lived until 1963-1964, when the Greek Cypriots’ intense attacks on the Turks began.
“It has been interpreted as a new concrete manifestation of Israel’s expansionist and ‘silent occupation’ activities in the region, following years of policies aimed at permanent settlement inThe Israeli-linked buyer has acquired title deeds by paying 70 individuals for 94 plots, claiming an “eco-tourism” project to “revitalise” the village, she says.that the Israeli investor secured roughly 70-80 percent of central properties in Trozena, with plans for 60 residential units, a campsite, and a winery. While local authorities deny total closure of the church or village, the concentration of ownership has alarmed residents.
“The Israeli-linked real estate footprint in Greece-administered Cyprus cannot be interpreted merely as ‘foreigners buying homes’,” he says. The purchases run into thousands across key districts of Larnaca, Limassol and Pafos, shifting the debate to sovereignty and security, he says. Citing data from the Greek Cypriot land registry and interior ministry records, the experts say extensive Israeli activity is taking place at full speed on the Greek-administered part of the island.
Between 2021 and January 2025, Israeli citizens bought 1,406 properties in Larnaca, 1,154 in Limassol, and 1,291 in Paphos. Overall, non-EU foreign buyers have carried out over 53,000 property transfers with another 29,000 contracts pending as of July 2025, totalling more than 82,000 transactions, Akcam notes. Karaman points to estimates that around 15,000 Israelis own property in the south, with Jewish organisations such as Chabad active in establishing religious and social infrastructure.
Akcam adds that Israeli-linked companies focus on coastal developments, tourism facilities, large residential projects, and village-scale acquisitions, particularly along the Larnaca-Limassol-Paphos corridor. Karaman notes that one in every four properties sold in Greece-administered Cyprus goes to a non-EU citizen, sparking fears of closed communities.
Israel, Greece, GCA defence pact: A challenge to NATO cohesion in Eastern MediterraneanIsrael, Greece, GCA defence pact: A challenge to NATO cohesion in Eastern Mediterranean“Zionist schools are being built – that’s what they call them – synagogues are being built, and you understand that this, in connection with various media reports appearing in serious newspapers in Israel itself, suggesting that Israel is preparing a ‘backyard’ in Cyprus… so this cannot but sound the alarm for us,” he was quoted as saying. He said Israeli land purchases are leading to the creation of ghettos, which are “almost inaccessible to anyone other than Israeli nationals”.these fears, saying, “Israel is buying up” Greece-administered Cyprus.
“The problem is that we are dependent on Israeli investment for our economy to go well,” he was quoted as saying. Akcam outlines three core reasons to worry: soaring house prices that are pricing out locals, the transformation of local character through gated communities, and security risks near ports, borders, and infrastructure. This population movement is accompanied by religious and institutional infrastructure.
Synagogues now operate in the cities of Larnaca, Limassol, Greek Cypriot-controlled side ofThe perception within the Greek Cypriot community that ‘this is not merely investment, but the establishment of lasting influence’ has strengthened,” Akcam says. The experts frame property purchases as the civilian arm of a broader Israel-Greece-Greek Cypriot Administration alliance. All these ties disregard Turkish Cypriot rights and threaten the interests of Türkiye.
Akcam agrees with this assessment, saying that Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration know full well that they cannot single-handedly counter Türkiye’s military and naval superiority in the Eastern Mediterranean or its Blue Homeland vision. Therefore, they are inviting Israel to help them create a so-called ‘shield’ for themselves, he says.
“Early Zionist figures such as Davis Trietsch discussed Cyprus as a potential springboard for Jewish settlement or transit to Palestine, citing its proximity to Palestine… and its strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he adds. She points to Türkiye’s unwavering support for the TRNC in this matter. Akcam says deepening Israeli economic-spatial influence, marginalisation of Turkish Cypriots as co-owners, disruption of energy equations, and military imbalance via air defence and exercises pose risks to regional stability.
“Israeli-linked property purchases… indicate that Israeli influence on the island is deepening economically, socially and spatially,” he says. Karaman notes that the Greek Cypriot administration is taking unilateral steps that disregard the Turkish Cypriots, who are equal owners of the island.
Türkiye regards the TRNC’s security as its own, she says, noting that Ankara has consistently demonstrated its deterrent power in the region to safeguard the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots. deployed to Ercan Airport on March 9 are a powerful expression of this resolve and a clear indication that the TRNC is not alone,” she says. Israel, Greece, GCA defence pact: A challenge to NATO cohesion in Eastern MediterraneanIsrael, Greece, GCA defence pact: A challenge to NATO cohesion in Eastern MediterraneanUS proposes five-point Iran deal: ReportNorth Korean women footballers arrive in South Korea for first sports visit in eight yearsTrump calls for primary challenger against Lauren Boebert over Massie support
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