Shin Bet Suspends Israeli Flights to Paphos Over Security Threats
A Paradise Turned into a Proxy Battlefield
Israel's Shin Bet security agency recently suspended all Israeli flights to the coastal city of Paphos in Cyprus, redirecting them to Larnaca instead. The decision, citing undisclosed security threats, reflects a broader history of attempted terror plots targeting Israelis in Cyprus and lawfare campaigns against Israeli soldiers. This latest security alert comes as Cyprus remains a flashpoint for both direct attacks and legal assaults on Israeli citizens, soldiers, and businesses—a Mediterranean island caught in the crosshairs of plots by terror proxies.
From Paradise to Proxy Battlefield
Cyprus, a popular vacation spot for Israelis, has long been the target of plots orchestrated by Iran and its proxies. In 2021, an Iranian-linked Azeri national was arrested in Nicosia for planning an assassination of Israeli businesspeople. Armed with a silenced gun, he was found to have crossed into southern Cyprus from the Turkish-controlled north, which Israeli intelligence has identified as a staging ground for such operations. While details remain classified, the suspect was reportedly part of a broader network working under Iranian orders, with his movements monitored in cooperation with Cypriot authorities.
Similar threats emerged in 2023, when another Iranian plot targeted an Israeli businessman, a Chabad House, and tourist venues frequented by Israelis in Cyprus. The operation was thwarted, with arrests in both Cyprus and Greece, thanks to close coordination between Israeli, Cypriot, and U.S. intelligence services. The Iranian operatives allegedly used northern Cyprus as a base, exploiting the porous border to move personnel and weapons.
Even Hezbollah, the Iranian regime’s prize terror proxy, has threatened Cyprus. In 2024, Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah warned that the island would be a legitimate target if it allowed Israeli forces to use its air bases during a potential war in Lebanon. Hezbollah possesses a large arsenal of missiles capable of reaching Cyprus, including advanced Fateh-class missiles and drones. With Cyprus hosting joint Israeli military drills and U.S. forces stationed on the island, it remains a potential target for Iran’s terror proxies.
Lawfare: The Courtroom as a Battlefield
Adding to these direct threats is the growing use of “lawfare”, which has been used to target Israeli soldiers around the world, including ones visiting Cyprus. Organizations like the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation have increasingly targeted individual Israeli soldiers by doxxing them—leaking their personal information—and pursuing legal action against them.
One notable case in Cyprus involved an Israeli reservist who had traveled to the island for a wedding anniversary. The Hind Rajab Foundation filed a criminal complaint against the reservist, and Israeli authorities intervened to evacuate the him and his wife, preventing a potential arrest.
The Hind Rajab Foundation claims to have compiled evidence against over a thousand Israeli soldiers. Its chairman, Dyab Abou Jahjah, has a controversial history, including admitting to joining Hezbollah in his youth and openly expressing support for the October 7 attacks. He has also previously endorsed violence against American, British, and Dutch soldiers. Jahjah’s troubling record extends further, as he founded the Arab European League (AEL), an organization convicted by a Dutch court for disseminating Holocaust denial. By leaking the personal information of Israelis traveling abroad, the Hind Rajab Foundation takes a dangerous step, effectively putting a target on their backs and exposing them to potential physical harm.
The Intersection of Threats
The threats facing Israeli’s abroad are multifaceted from terror plots to lawfare campaigns. The Shin Bet’s decision to redirect flights from Paphos to Larnaca reflects Israel’s growing challenges in balancing security concerns with international mobility. While lawfare campaigns remain largely symbolic, the psychological toll on soldiers and the diplomatic strain on Israel are undeniable. Meanwhile, the island’s proximity to hostile actors, such as Hezbollah and Iran, keeps it on the radar as a potential battleground for future conflicts. While the Mediterranean may seem like a peaceful retreat, the persistent threats remind Israelis that staying alert is essential, even when traveling abroad.