Cyprus Faces Backlash Over Hosting Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Games

The Cypriot government's decision to allow the Israeli basketball team Maccabi Tel Aviv to host its EuroLeague home games in Limassol has sparked significant criticism within the country. A scathing opinion piece in the "Cyprus Mail" argues that the decision was driven by political considerations rather than practical ones, highlighting a lack of transparency surrounding the move. The article questions whether a proper risk assessment was conducted, specifically concerning the potential for crowd disturbances and negative international publicity, especially given the hostile relations between Israel and Turkey, with whom Maccabi is scheduled to play.

Concerns have also been raised about the adequacy of local police resources and expertise to secure such high-risk events, particularly in light of their past difficulties managing crowd control during domestic football matches. The chairman of the police officers' organization estimated that up to 500 officers might be needed for each game. Furthermore, questions linger about who will bear the financial burden of the extensive security operations, with the article suggesting it could fall on Cypriot taxpayers.

While hosting a few games might have been acceptable, the opinion piece deems it "absurd" for Cyprus to become Maccabi Tel Aviv's entire home venue, asserting that the country has nothing to gain from the arrangement and urging the president to provide public explanations. In parallel with media criticism, a coalition of 11 activist organizations, including the BDS movement and the "Cyprus Peace Council," has issued a joint statement vehemently opposing the hosting of the games. They condemned the move as "whitewashing through sport" and protested the provision of a "safe and comfortable home" for an Israeli sports team using Cypriot infrastructure and public resources.