Israeli election campaign billboards in Cyprus spark debate

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been hit by a backlash over an election campaign billboard in Cyprus targeting Israeli tourists and residents.

An image shared by Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou on Sunday showed the billboard in Hebrew featuring a photo of Eisenkot next to a message reading: “Israelis, enjoy! You deserve it!” which can be seen by travellers leaving Larnaca airport.

For those going to the airport, a second one reads: “Have fun? Now come back and win!”

"This photo was not taken in Israel, but in my country, Cyprus," Panayiotou said. "This is simply not right. We must defend Cyprus's sovereignty."

Cyprus is a leading holiday destination for Israelis, who comprised the island’s second-largest group of visitors in 2025.

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