From Famagusta’s Las Vegas to Gaza’s Riviera
Source: in-cyprus.com
Narratives are being constructed and history is being turned on its head to accommodate expansionist policies and ambitions. Various theories are being developed that gradually align with what imperialist powers seek to achieve – to implement their plans without cost and with the tacit approval of various third-party players.
We’ll reach a point where, for example, in Cyprus, Greek Cypriots will be blamed for everything (this is already happening) and eventually… they’ll say we “chose” to live in the southern part of the island! A similar narrative is being pushed about Palestinians – that they left of their own accord in 1948. This claim is repeated and circulated even though Israeli archives clearly document ethnic cleansing.
The same stories appear in different contexts, aiming either to equate victim with perpetrator or to demonise the weaker party. Then come the comparisons and parallels. When someone claims Palestinians left voluntarily and “migrated for a better life,” it’s similar to the Turkish narrative that Greek Cypriots “welcomed” the “peacekeeping operation” in 1974!
Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently met with the American President at the White House, called Trump’s proposal for US control of the Gaza Strip “revolutionary” upon returning to Israel. He called it a “fresh, revolutionary and creative idea.” What did Trump say, presumably after discussing his… “idea” with Netanyahu? The familiar proposal whereby the United States would take control of the Gaza Strip, displacing its Palestinian population of 2.3 million to neighbouring countries, aiming to transform the area into a “Middle Eastern Riviera.” American policy and investments that ultimately benefit American capital. The occupied West Bank would be next. Israel is already showing signs of this approach.
And Turkey? Always present in the equation. After all, Turkey preceded Trump and Netanyahu, presenting a plan to transform the enclosed occupied area into a Las Vegas.
As Turkish Cypriot journalist Sener Levent wrote yesterday (Avrupa, Politis), “The states that don’t consider Turkey an occupying force in Syria certainly don’t consider it one in Cyprus. America. Europe. And the United Nations. Do they treat Turkey as an occupying force? Not at all! If they considered Turkey an occupying force here, the course of Cyprus negotiations would be different. They made all their plans to avoid confronting Turkey…”
Occupying powers remain untouchable, and there’s an explanation. Political and economic. Interests “erase” occupation!
Turkey acts as if it never invaded Cyprus, and the… “problem” is reduced to two quarrelling communities that can’t get along. We’re not far from hearing some novel story here too – that Greek Cypriots were the aggressors, invaded, and Turkey sent troops to the island in… “self-defence.” Similar to what’s said about Israel. This… “self-defence” never ends and permits the levelling of areas, thousands of deaths, and population displacement.
Meanwhile, Syria presents another example of international players’ cynicism, who can square the circle and suppress emotions and human rights. The regime hasn’t yet been recognised. Those in power, following Assad’s bloodless overthrow, haven’t been recognised. Their organisation remains classified as terrorist by the Americans. Yet foreign officials parade through Damascus, meeting Syria’s leader, who has announced elections in four years. But this doesn’t bother anyone!
However, it might cause great concern if Nicosia doesn’t unilaterally offer gifts to the occupying side and doesn’t “accommodate” Turkey.
The original article: belongs to in-cyprus.com .
