Cyprus Party Slams Government Over Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Games
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
The AKEL party in Cyprus is strongly opposing the government's decision to allow Maccabi Tel Aviv to host EuroLeague basketball games in Limassol. AKEL suspects the decision was made under Israeli pressure and demands transparency on the terms, security costs, and risks involved. Member of Parliament Giorgos Kookoumas has formally questioned ministers and seeks disclosure of agreements and decision-making processes.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Cyprus's AKEL party is fiercely opposing the government's decision to host Maccabi Tel Aviv's EuroLeague games.
- AKEL suspects the decision was made under pressure from Israel without proper consideration of Cypriot interests.
- MP Giorgos Kookoumas accused the government of excessive subservience to Israel.
- The party is demanding transparency on the terms, security costs, and risk assessments for the games.
- AKEL has submitted formal questions to ministers and seeks disclosure of all related agreements and correspondence.
A political storm is brewing in Cyprus over the decision to allow the Israeli basketball team Maccabi Tel Aviv to host its EuroLeague games in Limassol. The AKEL party, a major political force in Cyprus, has launched a sharp attack on the government of President Nikos Christodoulides. AKEL is demanding transparency regarding the terms under which the "Spiros Kiprianou" indoor arena was made available to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
AKEL Member of Parliament Giorgos Kookoumas expressed suspicion that the decision was made to satisfy a demand from the Israeli side without adequately considering the implications for Cyprus. "We suspect what the whole world suspects," Kookoumas stated in an interview, adding, "that Israel ordered and the Christodoulides government executed again." He further alleged that the government's deference to Israel has crossed "the boundaries of subservience."
The party fears that the request's origin in Israel led to procedural, security, risk assessment, and financial cost issues being overlooked. AKEL also wants to know the impact on Cypriot teams and other entities using the arena. Kookoumas has submitted formal questions to the Ministers of Justice and Education, seeking correspondence and agreements related to Maccabi Tel Aviv's use of the venue.
Key concerns raised by AKEL include the cost of security, questioning who will bear the expenses for policing and guarding the games, especially with the potential arrival of thousands of Maccabi fans. Kookoumas also inquired about the risk assessment conducted and the planned measures for protecting attendees, players, and facilities, referencing past incidents attributed to Maccabi fans.
While AKEL's claims are currently allegations, the issue has escalated from a media dispute to a political and parliamentary matter. The party is pressing the government for clear answers on who made the decision, who will fund security, how risks were evaluated, and the potential cost to local teams.
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