The Palestinian ambassador to Cyprus, Abdallah Attari, has strongly criticised comments by Democratic Party (DIKO) MP Chrysis Pantelides on the Palestinian issue, arguing that his remarks downplayed the significance of occupation and Palestinian statehood.
In a written statement, Attari expressed deep displeasure over comments Pantelides made during an interview on Politis radio, in which the MP sought to distinguish the Cyprus issue from the Palestinian question.
Pantelides reportedly said that “there was no Palestinian state”, while acknowledging that “Israel occupies some territories”.
Addressing the MP directly, Attari described the remarks as inappropriate and questioned whether the issue of occupation was being treated too simplistically.
“Is it really that simple for you? Is occupation so simple and meaningless to you?” he asked.
The ambassador said he was particularly troubled that such comments had come from a member of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, which he noted was among the first countries to recognise the State of Palestine on the basis of international law.
He also highlighted his position as ambassador of the State of Palestine and dean of the diplomatic corps in the Republic of Cyprus.
Ambassador addresses Israeli lobbying and European politics
At the beginning of his statement, Attari referred to what he described as efforts by the Israeli lobby to establish contacts with European political parties and members of parliament.
He expressed deep sadness over these developments, alleging that they were taking place while what he described as a genocide against the Palestinian people continued.
Attari stressed that he would not seek to comment on the foreign policy of any country, particularly that of the Republic of Cyprus, which he said he respected.
However, he said he could not leave Pantelides’ specific remarks unanswered.
‘Free Palestine’ and the two-state solution
The ambassador also addressed Pantelides’ comments on the slogan “From the river to the sea”, distinguishing the Palestinian position from the use of the phrase at demonstrations abroad.
“We chant ‘Free Palestine’, meaning the 1967 borders, in accordance with Security Council resolutions,” Attari said.
He argued that Europeans and Americans use the slogan “From the river to the sea” as a reaction to Israeli policies, which he characterised as expansionist and based on occupation.
Attari reiterated that the Palestinian side had accepted a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state covering what he described as 22% of the territory of historical Palestine.
UN partition plan and the history of Palestinian statehood
Attari also referred to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181, adopted in 1947, which provided for the partition of Mandatory Palestine into two states.
Israel was established in 1948, he noted, but the second part of the partition plan, envisaging the creation of an Arab state in Palestine, was never implemented.
The ambassador attributed the failure to establish a Palestinian state to what he described as Israel’s aggressive and expansionist policies, arguing that these continued through settlement expansion and military operations in Palestinian territories.
He also cited figures on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, saying the number of settlers had risen from approximately 120,000 in 1993, when the Oslo Accords were signed, to around 850,000 today.
As part of his historical argument, Attari referred to accounts indicating that Golda Meir and other future Israeli leaders held Palestinian passports during the period of the British Mandate.
‘International law is the only way forward’
Concluding his statement, Attari highlighted what he sees as common ground between the Cyprus and Palestinian issues, placing particular emphasis on respect for international law.
He reminded Pantelides of what he described as the commitment of both Palestinians and Cypriots to international legality, arguing that it was the only way forward in resolving their respective national issues.
“Personally, I never miss an opportunity to wish the Cypriot people what I wish for my own people: that our national issues may be resolved on the basis of international law,” he said.
