On Tuesday evening, the 20th of October 2026, at the Tel Aviv Hilton, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. and Mrs. Kornelios Korneliou hosted a large and extravagant reception in honour of 66 years of Cypriot independence.
On the 16th of August 1960 the Republic of Cyprus was born, ending 82 years of British administration.
In the banquet hall, there was a photographic exhibition under the auspices of the Cypriot Press and Information Office, entitled, "52 Years Is Far To Long" about numerous events following the tragic Turkish invasion in 1975 which included the women's anti - occupation movement, "Women Walk Home" which held its first march before the completion of the first year of Turkey's invasion, 1000's of Cypriot women carried out the "March Towards Ammochostos". Another powerful photograph was that of relatives of missing persons holding photos of their loved ones in protests in Lefkosia.
The two Master of Ceremonies were Mr. Stavros Nikolaou, the Embassy of Cyprus's Deputy Head of Mission and Mrs. Ilana Arar, the Ambassador's P. A. stating that the evening's celebration is a festival of democracy. Mrs. Arar warmly welcomed all and sundry and stated that within a week after the forthcoming election, Israel will also celebrate democracy. Her only request was to enjoy the evening.
The national anthem of Cyprus followed by that of Israel was played.
Behind the stage, there were three giant screens, one with the globe with Cyprus almost at the centre, another screen displayed an artistic map of Cyprus and the third displaying the names of the evening's sponsors.
A heartfelt recorded message by Israel's President, the H.E. Isaac Herzog was shown. He congratulated Cyprus on their 66th anniversary of independence saying that Israel and Cyprus enjoy a steadfast relationship afterwards quoting his Father's journey and his own recent official visit on the 10th of September 2026. Among the factors concerning national importance and strategic partnership for both countries, was national security and national emergency response. Israelis love Cyprus. I believe that within the foreseeable future the three countries of the Eastern Mediterranean namely Israel, Cyprus and Lebanon will sit together. Best wishes and good luck to Ambassador Shuli Davidowitz, Israel's Ambassador to Cyprus who assumed her duties five days ago, on the 13th of October.
H.E. Mr. Kornelios Korneliou, the Ambassador of Cyprus address began by him welcoming the Honourable Minister for Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, Mr. Amichai Chikli, Your Beatitude, Patriarch Theofilos the Third, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, dignitaries and all guests. He mentioned a special welcome to many Cypriot friends who arrived for the 8th Cyprus Israel Business and Investment Summit which was held earlier during the day at the Hilton. Today we celebrate the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. Today we remember the struggles of the Cypriot people on the road to freedom and their efforts in safeguarding and strengthening the Republic of Cyprus. We mark this anniversary while one third of our country remains under Turkish occupation as a result of the illegal invasion in 1974 and the continuing occupation. Cyprus is too small to remain divided however sufficiently large for Greek-Cypriots as well as Turkish-Cypriots to live in peace. Most recently a rare coin of Cypriot origin was discovered off the coast of Ashdod. This finds offers intangible evidence of the maritime and commercial connections between our lands some 2 500 years ago. Between 1946 - 1949 more than 53 000 Jewish refugees seeking a new beginning in the Holy Land passed through Cyprus serving as a transit point on their journey. During that period 2 253 children were born in Cyprus to Holocaust survivors. Some of those children honour us with their presence this evening. Cyprus remains steadfast in combating Anti- Semitism. This year Cyprus became a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. President Herzog's 3rd historic visit to Cyprus in September this year was a strong reaffirmation of our ever growing relations which manifests itself in emergency response, energy, healthcare, defence, trade, investments, technology, innovation and tourism. Last week Hadassa's opened a Medical Centre in Limassol. The frequency of flights - 225 in one week at the peak of summer including a new Haifa route is another testament to the close ties between our people. We welcome the growing Israeli community in Cyprus, enriching and strengthening the bonds between our peoples. Our bi-lateral relationship is reinforced by trilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Israel. In December 2025, the 10th summit of the leaders of the three countries took place in Jerusalem. This trilateral mechanism with initiatives in energy, connectivity, civil protection, health, and cybersecurity is important for regional stability and security. Initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) offers new strategic prospects for connectivity, trade and shared prosperity.
The horrific attacks of the 7th of October left a profound and lasting trauma on Israeli society. Terrorism and bararity can never be excused. From the outset, Cyprus extended its solidarity to Israel condemning Hamas's atrocities, and supported the unconditional release of all hostages as well as emphasizing Israel's right to self defence in accordance with international law. Simultaneously, Cyprus contributed to humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The implementation of a marine corridor for the transfer of humanitarian aid proved what our countries could accomplish. Cyprus also serves as a hub for safe repatriation and evacuation helping Israelis return home and enabling thousands of third country nationals to return home. We are reminded that the true strength of a country lies not only in its history, institutions and its achievements but in its people.
We are truly grateful to our Cypriot and Israeli event sponsors namely Eurobank, Super - pharm, Energean, Israir, Air Haifa, Arkia, Dor Group and NewMed Energy. I would like to warmly thank our Honorary Consul, Mr. Leon Koffer for his generosity as this event would not have been able to take place without his support. Last but not least, I would like to thank the outstanding team at the Embassy for their contribution in actualizing this event. This is the Cyprus we celebrate tonight: proud of its past, confident in its identity, and hopeful for the future.In conclusion, since my arrival in Israel in July 2023, it has not always been easy and at times challenging but at the same time rewarding. During my time here I have witnessed the resilience of Israeli society, the importance of friendship and solidarity and the enduring value of the relationship between our countries. It is indeed a great honour for me to serve as the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the State of Israel and to contribute to strengthening our friendship.
Representing the State of Israel was Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitsm, Mr. Amichai Chikli who started his speech by saying that since the 7th of October 2026 Israel has been fighting to defend itself against the axis of evil - Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian regime. Cyprus understands the importance of national independence and the heavy price paid when sovereignty is challenged by totalitarian imperialism. Israel and Cyprus are neighbours determined by geography and allies by choice. Our partnership includes energy, technology, tourism, healthcare, emergency response and defence. I have had the privilege of visiting Cyprus both officially and personally with my wife and three children. During official visits I met with the local Jewish community, visited internment camps where thousands of Jewish immigrants were detained by the British authorities while seeking to reach the Land of Israel. Today strategic clarity requires us to speak plainly about a shared threat facing us and our region. Turkey under President Erdogan, who combines the radical ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood with his concomitant vision of restoring the Ottoman Empire. Cyprus continues to face the consequences of Turkey's military presence and the division of its territory. Our countries face different realities but the underlying challenge is connected, an Ankara that seeks greater regional dominance at the expense of its neighbours security and sovereignty. We seek stability and not confrontation. Peace cannot be built on appeasement and sovereignty cannot be defended by wishful thinking. I recommend Erdogen learns the historic lessons never to underestimate the power of free nations as we intend to build a future together with a region that is defined by cooperation, prosperity and peace. May our strategic partnership reach new heights continuing to work together for security, prosperity and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean. Happy Independence Day to the Republic of Cyprus!
Ambassadors, Diplomats, Military Attaches, CEOs of companies, high ranking state officials, heads of NGOs including the Foreign Ministry's Chief of State Protocol, Ambassador Gil Haskel, His Excellency the Archbishop of Constantina Aristarchos from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Ms. Louisa Varaclas, Director of the Cyprus Tourism Organization in Tel Aviv, Mr. Konstantinos and Mrs. Maria Zinovios, Greece's Consul in Haifa, Major General (Ret) Amos Gilead, Executive Director of the Institute for Policy and Strategy and Chairman of Reichman University's annual Herzliya Conference Series, Nathan Allalouf, Costa Rica's Honorary Consul and President and Chairman of the Allalouf Group,;Daniel Allalouf, The Allalouf Group's Business Development Manager ; Mr. Essam Rashed, President of the Rotary Club of Nazareth ; Mr. Gabi Buganim, CEO of Dorsel Real Estate Projects ; Steven Aiello, Director of Debate for Peace and the United Nations Model in Israel, Ms. Sabine Segal from the Israel Export Institute, Gabriel Hayon, Chairman of the Diplomatic Institute, Mr. Carlo Gross, Italy's Honorary Consul in Haifa, Professor Louis Shenkman, formerly the University of Tel Aviv's Dean of Medicine and a specialist in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ms. Yona Bartal, representative of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, Dr. Khaled and Mrs. Reem Khalifa, Chairman of the Arab Council for Foreign Relations, Mr. Daniel Voiczek, General Manager of the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem, Ms. Ayala Meitav, Tel-Aviv - Yafo Municipality's Senior Project Manager for International Relations, Ms. Miriam Berger - Director General of the Latin - American Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Daphna Adam from Maman Aviation, Maor Ifrah, an advisor in Foreign Ministry's Director General's Office, Boaz Baxman, Manager of Ofir Tours; Eyal Kashdan, CEO of Flying Carpet and the famous Israeli Chef Shaul Ben Aderet .
www.diplomacy.co.il/ extends its congratulations to the Ambassador of Cyprus, H.E. Mr. and Mrs. Kornelios Korneliou on their county's 66th anniversary of independence and its appreciation to the Embassy staff for organizing an inimitable and unforgettable evening of celebration.
Photos Silvia G. Golan
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