‘Trying to dominate’: In Cyprus, some fear Israel’s growing influence

What the report says

In a feature published by Al Jazeera on Oct. 16, 2026, reporter Nils Adler described growing unease in Cyprus over Israel’s expanding role in sectors that touch daily life, including water, health care, energy and defence. The article said some Cypriots view the relationship as a security partnership against Turkiye, while others fear the island is becoming dependent on a far larger state. The reporting was based on interviews in Nicosia and Limassol and on public records, company filings and official statements.

According to the piece, Israel’s state water company Mekorot is involved in two of Cyprus’s five permanent desalination plants and recently signed a deal with a district water board in Nicosia. Israeli arms maker Israel Aerospace Industries is supplying Cyprus’s new air-defence system, while Israeli hospital operator Hadassah opened a medical centre in Limassol. The article also noted Israeli investment in Cyprus, including a stake in the Aphrodite gas field through NewMed Energy, and said the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is considering a bid for the Cyprus Stock Exchange.

The story placed these developments in the context of Cyprus’s long-running division after the 1974 Turkish invasion and the island’s strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean. Critics quoted by Al Jazeera argued that the pace and breadth of Israeli involvement raise sovereignty concerns, especially around essential infrastructure. Supporters of closer ties say the cooperation strengthens Cyprus’s security and resilience.

Al Jazeera’s report matters because it highlights how geopolitics, commerce and critical services are increasingly intertwined in Cyprus, where dependence on outside partners can carry both strategic benefits and political sensitivities.