Israel Hayom, one of Israel’s most widely read newspapers, has published a provocative opinion article asserting that Northern Cyprus constitutes a strategic concern for Israel, arguing that the territory is effectively within Israel’s sphere of responsibility. The article contends that Northern Cyprus has become a hub for unchecked activity, exploited by Turkey, Hamas, and Iran’s Quds Force, posing security threats that Israel cannot ignore.
Written by commentator Shay Gal, the piece urges Israel to treat Northern Cyprus not as a distant Greek–Turkish dispute but as a potential front in regional instability. It calls for contingency planning involving Israel, Cyprus, and Greece to prepare a possible operation to “liberate” the island’s north, if emerging threats cross a critical threshold.
According to Gal, the Turkish-occupied north has become functionally autonomous from oversight, providing a permissive environment for drone deployments, missile targeting, intelligence gathering, organized crime, and financing of terrorism. Northern Cyprus is described as effectively operating in a legal grey zone exploited by hostile actors.
While acknowledging that Israel lacks both the desire and mandate to govern Northern Cyprus, the article argues that rising military, espionage, and paramilitary risks demand renewed attention. It advocates a phased strategic posture emphasizing preparedness and cooperation with regional partners, viewed as a necessary reactive measure, not an aggressive move.
