A coalition of organisations, political parties and civil society groups has called for a peaceful demonstration outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia at 7pm on Tuesday, June 30, in protest against the convening of a Board of Peace on Gaza at a Cypriot resort from June 30 to July 1.
The organisers have condemned the US-led initiative as a violation of international law, an attack on the United Nations framework and an example of what they describe as “disaster capitalism,” arguing that it excludes Palestinians from meaningful participation in shaping their own future.
In a joint statement, the groups note that while the Cyprus government maintains that it is “neither an organiser nor co-organiser” of the event, its support for the Board, observer status, involvement in submitting eight proposals and facilitation of the summit and related meetings amount to an endorsement of what they describe as an unlawful and illegitimate body.
According to the organisations, by facilitating what they call the Trump agenda, the Republic of Cyprus is becoming complicit in promoting a project that runs contrary to fundamental UN principles, including the right to self-determination and prohibitions on genocide, occupation, settlement activity and apartheid. They argue that these are the same principles upon which Cyprus bases its own struggle for justice and reunification.
“An Attack on the UN and International Law”
The statement argues that the Board of Peace derives its claimed legitimacy from UN Security Council Resolution 2803. However, the organisers say the resolution has been widely criticised by international law experts and member states because it replaces clear legal obligations towards Palestinians with what they describe as “an externally controlled model prioritising security and driven by capital.”
The groups cite the latest Situation Report from the Palestinian Prime Minister’s Office, which they say records the deaths of more than 1,021 Palestinians during the current ceasefire period. According to them, this highlights fundamental contradictions at the heart of any peace framework built around the arrangement.
They further argue that any body claiming to oversee peace or reconstruction cannot be considered legitimate while Israel continues military operations in Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian aid. As long as bombing, displacement and starvation continue, they say, the credibility and moral basis of such a body remain fundamentally flawed.
According to the statement, the Board is chaired by US President Donald Trump and operates outside the traditional multilateral framework. The groups claim it is not a UN-led peace process but a unilateral American initiative aimed at preserving US influence in the region.
Criticism Over Palestinian Representation
The organisations also object to what they describe as the complete absence of Palestinian representation within the Council itself.
Although a Palestinian technocratic committee, known as NCAG, has reportedly been established, they say it remains under the supervision of the Peace Council and has not yet entered Gaza.
They describe the structure as colonial in nature, arguing that Palestinians are excluded from decisions concerning their own land while Israel, as the occupying power, holds a seat on the Council.
Concerns Over Private Interests
The statement also raises concerns about the Board's structure, alleging that it has been designed to serve private interests.
According to the groups, the Board's charter provides for permanent participation in exchange for contributions of $1 billion.
They further claim that its executive committee includes billionaire businessmen such as investment executive Marc Rowan, Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and real estate investor Steve Witkoff, whom they accuse of having a direct financial interest in Gaza’s reconstruction.
The organisations argue that the vision being promoted is not reconstruction for the benefit of Gaza’s residents but the creation of a “Gaza Riviera” built on the displacement of Palestinians from their land.
“This is not humanitarianism,” they state. “It is disaster capitalism.”
Call to the Cypriot Government
The groups are calling on the Cyprus government to immediately withdraw its support for the initiative, refrain from providing it with space or political legitimacy and reaffirm its commitment to international law, UN resolutions, an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid and the Palestinian right to self-determination through an independent Palestinian state.
Protest Outside the Presidential Palace
The demonstration is scheduled to take place at 7pm on Tuesday outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.
The organisers are urging citizens, civil society organisations, trade unions, political parties and members of the public to participate in what they describe as a protest against an unacceptable initiative.
Among the groups supporting the call are the Alliance Against the Far Right, Fascism and Racism, the Pancyprian Peace Council, AKEL, Volt Cyprus, ACCEPT LGBTI Cyprus, BDS Cyprus, Cyprus Palestine Solidarity Action, Genocide-Free Cyprus, United for Palestine Cyprus, Voices for Palestine Cyprus and several other organisations.
