An event to mark the 75th anniversary of the closing of the detention camps for Jewish Holocaust survivors in Cyprus took place on Tuesday in Nicosia in the presence of President Nikos Christodoulides, who said that “this place where we are gathered is an inseparable part of the histories of both Cyprus and Israel.”
Addressing the event, the President thanked the Ministry of Defence and the Embassy of Israel for organising the event, saying that he wanted “to attend this event personally, because today we honour the resilience of the human spirit, the upholding of human dignity as well as the compassion and the solidarity of fellow human beings.”
A few days ago, he noted, we marked 75 years since the closing of the detention camps for the Jewish Holocaust survivors in Cyprus, adding that “the gathering of this year carries a profound meaning as it is the first such occasion after the inconceivable terrorist attacks of October 7 which we condemned in the strongest possible terms.”
These camps, 12 in total, he added, were situated across Cyprus, operating between 1946 to 1949. Following the end of the 2nd World War and before the creation of the State of Israel, approximately 53,000 Jews went through Cyprus and the camps of Karaolos, north of Famagusta, Dekhelia and Xylotymbou.
The former British Military Hospital (BMH), he noted, “was the birthplace of many of the children of the Holocaust survivors who were interned in then-colonised Cyprus en route to their new homeland. 2,253 of them were born in Cyprus during the internment period.” “Even after so many years, this single fact still stands as a testament that hope can still shine even in the darkest of times,” he added.
This is why, the President of Cyprus noted, “This place where we are gathered is an inseparable part of the histories of both Cyprus and Israel”.
He recalled that in 2016, fulfilling a long-standing dream of one of those children, Zehavit Blumenfeld, we erected a monument dedicated to these children of Holocaust survivors.
“I am humbled by the fact that Zehavit is with us today. I am also honoured that Professor Snunith Shoham, the Chair of the Organisation of Cyprus Ma’apilim Legacy and Commemoration, is here today. She too calls Cyprus her birthplace”.
This place, the President said, reminds us of the 53,000 souls who escaped the horrors of the Holocaust only to be interned behind barbed wire in colonised Cyprus and also reminds us of the generosity of Cypriots, who worked in the military camps and lived in the surrounding villages.
“They identified with the Jewish refugees’ suffering and provided support, by way of smuggled food, clothing, and other items, demonstrating acts of kindness, compassion, and solidarity. They even arranged illicit escapes”.
He referred to “Papa” – Prodromos Papavasileiou – “a legend in Cyprus for his ethos and his determination to assist the interned refugees, at the risk of his own life.”
The President said that he was acknowledged by the State of Israel with the State Warriors Decoration and the Carmel Award of Merit, while the Israeli port city of Haifa has “Papa Square” named in his honour. “It is truly touching to see his children Christakis and Lina, as well as other members of his family being here today, representing his ethos and bravery,” he continued.
“On this 75th anniversary of the closure of the internment camps, we celebrate the brave Cypriots who aptly showed support and solidarity. We also celebrate the foundation of our historic ties. And we celebrate together with Zehavit and Professor Shoham and countless others whose birthplace is Cyprus, the hope of new beginnings, particularly during these very challenging times” the President of Cyprus concluded.
In his speech, which was read out by Chief of the National Guard Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, Minister of Defence Vasilis Palmas, said that the story of more than fifty thousand Jews who managed to escape from Europe and ended up in Cyprus is a tragic reality of modern history that we have to highlight for younger and future generations.
“Our presence here today serves as a gate for remembrance and reflection, a reminder of our obligation to respect, defend and protect human dignity” he added. This camp, he said, where the first cry of the 2,200 Jewish children born in Cyprus was heard, is an integral part of Jewish and Cypriot history.
“Today, here at the Cyprus – Israel Friendship Monument, a profound sense of sorrow weighs upon us. A sorrow that arises from the voices of the six million Jews who perished and from the trauma suffered by the survivors” he concluded.
In his speech, Ambassador of Israel to Cyprus Oren Anolik said that “in reflecting upon this chapter of our history, we gathered today to honour the resilience and strength of the thousands of Jewish Holocaust survivors who endured confinement and hardships, but never lost their belief in the ultimate goal: to build a safe state for the Jewish people in their ancient homeland”.
At the same time, he added, “We honour the persistence and solidarity of all those Cypriots who assisted the Jewish detainees; all those Cypriots who showed readiness to contribute to the relief, welfare, well-being and freedom of the internees. We honour the legacy of the late Prodromos Papavassiliou who took the lead in this effort”.
He added that “75 years have passed since the closing of the detention camps for Jewish refugees and we are still fascinated and deeply moved by numerous personal stories of Cypriots coming to light; stories which powerfully personify, crystallize, and provide a testament of the links of solidarity forged between the Jewish and Cypriot peoples under difficult circumstances”.
The Israeli Ambassador also said that since October 7th, 2023, “we are fighting a war forced upon us; a war against barbarism and terrorism, a war for the defence of our State, the lives of our people and the freedom of our civilians who were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists into Gaza”.
“These recent tragic events remind us that despite the amazing progress achieved by Israel since its establishment, the road to a comprehensive peace is still long and difficult. In these dark days, it is comforting and encouraging to witness the solidarity and support Israel receives from the Cypriot Government and its people. There is no doubt in my mind that the roots of the excellent relations lie in what happened many decades ago” he noted.
The Ambassador thanked President Christodoulides, for his presence at the event and his friendship with Israel. “Thank you and your administration for being a staunch supporter of the bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the State of Israel,” he said, while also thanking the Minister of Defence for the “excellent cooperation and willingness to host this annual ceremony. Together, we honour our common past and solidify our joint future”.
Chairman of the Israel-Cyprus Friendship Association, Honorary Ambassador Shemi Tzur and Christakis Papavasileiou, son of the late Prodromos Papavasileiou, also addressed the event.
(Cyprus News Agency)
