Cyprus expels Israelis for trying to enter occupied north side by Turkey

Cracking down on tourists who try to get into the northern third unlawfully occupied by Turkey since a 1974 invasion, Cyprus expelled 40 Israelis who wanted to go to hotels on the other side.

Under Cypriot law, tourists are forbidden from entering Cyprus from the occupied north and face expulsion if they do. Those who arrive in Cyprus with the intention of continuing on to Turkish-held areas can also be stopped.

The Israeli tourists arrived at Larnaca airport but when they revealed to authorities they were planning to continue on to hotels in the north, they were detained and eventually sent back to Israel, the Times of Israel reported.

In the past the Foreign Ministry made diplomatic efforts to ensure that there were no difficulties despite the travel laws, but Cypriot authorities have recently begun enforcing the restrictions, the paper said.

The Cypriot Embassy told Hadashot (formerly Channel 2) news, “Any tourist who arrives in Cyprus with the aim of vacationing in the territories occupied by Turkey is breaking Cypriot law and risks being returned to his country of departure.”

According to the Ynet news site, the recently expelled Israelis were warned against trying to reach northern Cyprus by the Cypriot embassy before they began their trip but tried to persist. It wasn’t explained why.

The Cypriot Foreign Ministry had just issued a reminder of a previous travel advisory against visiting northern Cyprus. The advisory said that anyone entering Cyprus from the northern territory would receive a black mark in their passport and be banned from returning to Cyprus for 10 years. Offenders could also be fined or face up to 12 months in prison.

The warning noted that vacationers heading for hotels on a blacklist issued by the Cypriots may be be prevented from entering Cyprus.