Abbas Asks Cyprus to Mediate Israel Talks

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asked Cyprus to mediate between Palestinians and Israel on Thursday, tying a possible return to dialogue to the formation of a new Israeli government. He made the request at a meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia. Abbas said he hoped a new government would open the way to talks.

The government gate

Abbas said the Palestinian side had extended a hand to Israel “for many years now” to achieve peace. He described the goal as Israel and Palestine living “in security, stability and peace.” Then he set out the timing he wants: “We hope that, immediately after a new Israeli government is formed, we will be able to engage in dialogue together.”

His remarks placed the formation of a government at the centre of the next step. Security, stability and peace were the stated goals for the people affected by political decisions; the process he proposed, though, was dialogue between political sides after a new Israeli government takes office. Abbas gave no date for when a government might form or talks might start.

Christodoulides called Abbas’ visit an “important moment” for the region and said Cyprus could play a role. “How can we work together, always through a positive approach? To create conditions of security and stability in the region,” he said. He added: “Of course, we’re also at Palestine’s disposal, so that we may play whatever role they deem necessary for the Republic of Cyprus, in order to achieve our common goals.”

Nicosia offered a mediating role

At a later working lunch with delegations from both sides, Abbas returned to Cyprus’ position between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. He called the relationship between the Palestinian people, the Cypriot people and the Republic of Cyprus “excellent,” and also pointed to Cyprus’ relations with Israel.

“You also have excellent relations—and rightly so—with Israel,” Abbas said. He argued that this gave Cyprus a role in mediation. He wasn’t asking Cyprus to replace the parties at the negotiating table, but to mediate between them.

Abbas said that role should rest on a political solution grounded in international law and the resolutions of the Security Council and the United Nations. “So you can play a role in mediating between the two sides,” he told Christodoulides, then said the process should follow those international standards.

The statements in Nicosia set out an offer and a condition: Cyprus could help mediate, while Abbas hopes talks can resume after a new Israeli government forms. Christodoulides said the Republic of Cyprus was at Palestine’s disposal for whatever role Palestine considered necessary. The meeting account records the appeal for mediation and readiness for dialogue, but reports no agreement between the sides or date for talks. For now, the proposal remains a diplomatic request to the Cypriot president, with the next step tied to a government yet to form.