Hundreds gathered outside the presidential palace to voice solidarity with the Palestinian people and denounce both Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the Cyprus government’s silence.

The demonstration, organised by the Cyprus peace council and other civil society groups, was marked by powerful symbolism and impassioned speeches. Protesters dressed in red-stained clothes to represent the bloodshed in Gaza, chanting slogans such as “Freedom for Palestine” and “Stop the genocide”.

Leading the event was Tasos Costeas, president of the Cyprus peace council, who sharply criticised the Cypriot authorities for failing to condemn what he called “monstrous crimes” by Israel.

“Ours is the only government in Europe that has not expressed even the slightest outrage,” he said.

Costeas referred to recent deadly attacks, including a bombing that killed ten children from the same family and an airstrike on a school used as a refugee shelter.

“We are witnessing one disgrace after another,” he said. Addressing President Nikos Christodoulides directly, Costeas urged him to “at least listen to the sound of bombs raining down on starving children in Gaza”.

Former foreign minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis also addressed the crowd. She accused the government of betraying Cyprus’s own history and principles by remaining neutral. “Enough is enough,” she said, calling on the president and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos to take a firm stand against what she labelled genocide.

She warned that Cyprus’s credibility on issues of international law and human rights is at risk.

“We cannot continue to speak of justice and Geneva conventions while remaining silent in the face of such crimes,” she said.

A representative of the Palestinian community in Cyprus described Gaza as “bleeding but still standing.” He said Palestinians are not seeking pity but justice and freedom, adding: “People around the world have chosen sides. They stand for life, for justice. It’s time for governments to do the same.”

He also condemned Western support for Israel, calling on states to stop supplying weapons and political cover. “This is the largest genocide of the 21st century,” he said, urging international powers to back international law instead of war crimes.

An Israeli doctor, representing the NGO “Physicians for Human Rights – Israel”, also addressed the crowd. Speaking alongside Palestinians, she condemned the collective punishment of Gaza.

“The massacre of 8 October was used as a pretext for crimes that shame us all,” she said.

The protest ended with calls for immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza and renewed appeals for Cyprus to align its stance with international human rights norms.