Speech by the Ambassador of Israel in Cyprus Mr. Oren Anolik at the Memorial Ceremony Commemorating 76 Years Since the Closure of the Detention Camps.
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, we gather to mark the 76th anniversary of the closure of the British detention camps in Cyprus for Jewish refugees.Between August 1946 and February 1949, more than 52,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors -- taken off 39 ships – who had endured the worst horrors of the 20th century, found themselves behind barbed wire once more.They were detained in a dozen camps situated across the island. During this period, approximately 2,200 Jewish babies were born in Cyprus.
We stand today on the ground where many of those newborns took their first breaths.This site holds profound significance. It is one of the foundations of the shared histories of Israel and Cyprus.The story of the detention camps is a foundational link between Israel and Cyprus. It forged an enduring bond between our peoples, one that has only strengthened and flourished in the decades since.
Despite enduring immense hardship, the Jewish Holocaust survivors in the detention camps held on to their dream: the creation of a safe state for the Jewish people in their historic homeland. The Jewish detainees in Cyprus were denied their freedom and were kept in uncertainty about what the future held for them. But even in those dark days, a light shone – kindness and solidarity from the people of Cyprus.
We remember and honor today not only the over 52,000 souls who escaped the horrors of the Holocaust. Today, we also remember the brave Cypriots who stood by them. Ordinary men and women who, with extraordinary compassion and bravery, extended a hand to the refugees.Some of these Cypriots worked inside the camps. Others lived in the nearby towns and villages. All of them contributed significantly to the relief, well-being, and freedom of the detainees.
Their acts of humanity transformed these camps from places of despair into symbols of courage, resilience and hope.We honor the legacy of the late Prodromos Papavassiliou, who led this noble effort. We express our gratitude to the children and grandchildren of Prodromos and of the other fearless Cypriots for preserving the memory of this crucial chapter in history.Though 76 years have passed since the closure of the detention camps, the powerful testimonies of Cypriots aiding Jewish refugees still move us.We are honored to have with us today Ms. Irinoulla Loizou, daughter of the late Captain Paul Rossides, who served as a harbor master at the Famagusta port.You will hear from Irinoulla about the key role her father played in supporting Prodromos Papavassiliou in his efforts to assist the detainees. Paul Rossides’ actions facilitated the escape of Jewish detainees to Israel.
By doing so, the honorable Captain put his freedom, family and livelihood at risk. To Prodromos Papavassiliou, Captain Paul Rossides and all other unsung Cypriot heroes I dedicate the words of Emiliy Dickinson:“𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨,𝘖𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯,𝘖𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯,𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘯.”
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we reflect on the closure of these camps, we need to acknowledge that Israel’s struggle for security and peace is still on-going.The horrific events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists unleashed a brutal massacre -- murdering thousands of innocent Israelis, raping women, abducting civilians, and inflicting widespread terror, remind us that the road to peace remains long.Hamas is still holding 73 hostages in Gaza. Ordinary people, who were violently dragged from their homes or from a music festival.
For the hostages and their families, every second spent in captivity is another second in hell. We will not rest until each and every one of them is brought back home.
This ceremony has become a cherished tradition, and I am deeply grateful to the Ministry of Defense for its unwavering partnership in preserving this memory year after year.
Together, we honor our shared past and strengthen the foundation for our future cooperation.I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Defense Minister Palmas, to his predecessors, to the Ministry of Defense, to the National Guard, and to the Government of Cyprus as a whole.May the legacy of solidarity between our peoples continue to guide us and inspire generations to come.
18𝘵𝘩 𝘍𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 2025, 𝘉𝘔𝘏, 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘢