(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)
Monday, 22 December 2025 / 2 Tevet 5786
President Isaac Herzog Meets President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus
President Herzog: “As we face the challenges in our region, the place of Cyprus is essential.”
On Monday, December 22, 2025, President Isaac Herzog met with President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. During their meeting, President Herzog and President Christodoulides discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance regional initiatives aimed at promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
President Isaac Herzog:
“Welcome to the trilateral of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. We're very happy always to see you here. You know our relations with Cyprus have been upgraded dramatically in recent years. There's huge potential of doing business together and actually developing together with Greece and other countries, the Eastern basin of the Mediterranean.
“As we can look forward to the day after in Gaza, and also to the strategic changes in Syria and Lebanon, I think that the place of Cyprus is essential. It's a key element in the region of functionality and development. It can also be a bridge for peace with our Palestinian neighbors and other countries in the region, as you stretch your connectivity all the way to India and the UAE. So I think there's so much to discuss here, and I welcome you to Israel wholeheartedly.
“I will end by raising again, the plight of Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili. He's the last hostage who has not been returned to Israel. We call upon the family of nations and all those who are involved in the operation in Gaza to apply pressure and use any tools possible to bring him back home.
“I want to take this opportunity to wish the people of Cyprus and all our sisters and brothers of the Christian communities in the Middle East and, of course, in the Holy Land, Merry Christmas and a Happy 2026.”
President Nikos Christodoulides:
“Thank you, I'm very glad and pleased to be in Israel this time for a bilateral visit, but also, as you mentioned, the tenth trilateral summit between Cyprus, Greece and Israel. I'm looking forward to the discussions and more importantly, to the decisions that we're going to have to take in order to enhance even more our strategic relations. Issues like defense and security, energy, economy and trade, innovation are high on our agenda. And of course, tourism — you mentioned the Israelis coming to Cyprus, and I was very glad to find out during the summer time we have 186 weekly flights. This is a clear indication also of the people-to-people contacts.
“At the same time, I'm here a few days before we assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. One of our main priorities is to bring the European Union much closer to the region.
“With regard to the issue of the hostages, our position was clear from the very beginning and also as you noted, for the last remaining hostage to return back.
“We also publicly invite you to Cyprus and continue our discussion.”
Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572
Monday, 22 December 2025 / 2 Tevet 5786
President Isaac Herzog Meets President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus
President Herzog: “As we face the challenges in our region, the place of Cyprus is essential.”
On Monday, December 22, 2025, President Isaac Herzog met with President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. During their meeting, President Herzog and President Christodoulides discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance regional initiatives aimed at promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
President Isaac Herzog:
“Welcome to the trilateral of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. We're very happy always to see you here. You know our relations with Cyprus have been upgraded dramatically in recent years. There's huge potential of doing business together and actually developing together with Greece and other countries, the Eastern basin of the Mediterranean.
“As we can look forward to the day after in Gaza, and also to the strategic changes in Syria and Lebanon, I think that the place of Cyprus is essential. It's a key element in the region of functionality and development. It can also be a bridge for peace with our Palestinian neighbors and other countries in the region, as you stretch your connectivity all the way to India and the UAE. So I think there's so much to discuss here, and I welcome you to Israel wholeheartedly.
“I will end by raising again, the plight of Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili. He's the last hostage who has not been returned to Israel. We call upon the family of nations and all those who are involved in the operation in Gaza to apply pressure and use any tools possible to bring him back home.
“I want to take this opportunity to wish the people of Cyprus and all our sisters and brothers of the Christian communities in the Middle East and, of course, in the Holy Land, Merry Christmas and a Happy 2026.”
President Nikos Christodoulides:
“Thank you, I'm very glad and pleased to be in Israel this time for a bilateral visit, but also, as you mentioned, the tenth trilateral summit between Cyprus, Greece and Israel. I'm looking forward to the discussions and more importantly, to the decisions that we're going to have to take in order to enhance even more our strategic relations. Issues like defense and security, energy, economy and trade, innovation are high on our agenda. And of course, tourism — you mentioned the Israelis coming to Cyprus, and I was very glad to find out during the summer time we have 186 weekly flights. This is a clear indication also of the people-to-people contacts.
“At the same time, I'm here a few days before we assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. One of our main priorities is to bring the European Union much closer to the region.
“With regard to the issue of the hostages, our position was clear from the very beginning and also as you noted, for the last remaining hostage to return back.
“We also publicly invite you to Cyprus and continue our discussion.”
Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572
Link for Live Broadcast of the Statements by the Prime Minister, the Greek Prime Minister and the Cypriot President
https://www.youtube.com/live/rC0HO2OyaGE
https://www.youtube.com/live/rC0HO2OyaGE
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Jerusalem
As part of the Israel-Greece-Cyprus diplomatic summit being held at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, held a warm private meeting a short while ago. This was followed by an expanded meeting including the Foreign and Energy Ministers of both countries and additional senior officials.
A trilateral meeting is currently taking place between the leaders of the three nations (Israel, Greece, and Cyprus) and their respective teams, after which the leaders will issue statements to the media.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERBiQ1rxRPg
Video credit Roi Avraham (GPO) / Sound credit: Ben Peretz (GPO)
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
As part of the Israel-Greece-Cyprus diplomatic summit being held at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, held a warm private meeting a short while ago. This was followed by an expanded meeting including the Foreign and Energy Ministers of both countries and additional senior officials.
A trilateral meeting is currently taking place between the leaders of the three nations (Israel, Greece, and Cyprus) and their respective teams, after which the leaders will issue statements to the media.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERBiQ1rxRPg
Video credit Roi Avraham (GPO) / Sound credit: Ben Peretz (GPO)
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, this evening (Monday, 22 December 2025), held a joint meeting as part of the diplomatic summit in Jerusalem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L_xGCa98As
Video credit Roi Avraham (GPO)
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, this evening (Monday, 22 December 2025), held a joint meeting as part of the diplomatic summit in Jerusalem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L_xGCa98As
Video credit Roi Avraham (GPO)
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)
Monday, 22 December 2025 / 2 Tevet 5786
President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece Visit Family of Terror Victim
On Monday, December 22, 2025, President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece visited the family of Ionas “Yona” Karussis, a 26-year-old architecture student who was murdered in a terror attack in Jaffa in October 2024. President Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos expressed their condolences to Ionas's parents, Professor Dimitrios Karussis and Dr. Ourania Karussis, Greek citizens who made their home in Jerusalem.
President Isaac Herzog:
"Welcome, dear Prime Minister, to Jerusalem. We are in the home of the Karussis family, whose son, Ionas, was murdered by terrorists last year in Jaffa, and we feel that there's a bridge here of Israelis and Greeks.
"The relationship between Israel and Greece has grown dramatically, and you're here for a trilateral meeting, also with Cyprus. I think we can develop the Eastern Mediterranean in a very substantial way for the benefit of all nations of the region, including our neighbors, the Palestinians, and, of course, the Arab states, going all the way to India. This has huge potential for so many things that humanity wants to see.
"But the fact that we are here in this home tells us and reminds us that we have to fight our enemies, and we have to change the reality in the region for a better future so that beautiful flowers like Ionas will not be killed by terrible people that surround us. Thank you for coming, and welcome to Israel."
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
"Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to the Karussis family for being so kind to open up their house welcoming us today. Ionas's assassination was a tragic event which reminds us of the necessity to fight terrorism in all its forms. And I want, again, to offer to the parents of Ionas our full support. We plan next year to fund a scholarship in his memory, and I know that his life might have been cut short by this horrible terrorist, but he left behind him a legacy of goodness, and his memory will live on.
"The Karussis family is a bridge of friendship between our two countries. Rest assured, Mr. President, that the strategic relationship between Greece and Israel has never been stronger. And if you include also Cyprus, as you said, you have three countries that are working together for a peaceful and stable Eastern Mediterranean. And this should be the hope of all of us, especially as we come towards Christmas, a celebration of peace and friendship. This is the spirit that we want present in this part of the world."
Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572
Monday, 22 December 2025 / 2 Tevet 5786
President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece Visit Family of Terror Victim
On Monday, December 22, 2025, President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece visited the family of Ionas “Yona” Karussis, a 26-year-old architecture student who was murdered in a terror attack in Jaffa in October 2024. President Herzog and Prime Minister Kyriakos expressed their condolences to Ionas's parents, Professor Dimitrios Karussis and Dr. Ourania Karussis, Greek citizens who made their home in Jerusalem.
President Isaac Herzog:
"Welcome, dear Prime Minister, to Jerusalem. We are in the home of the Karussis family, whose son, Ionas, was murdered by terrorists last year in Jaffa, and we feel that there's a bridge here of Israelis and Greeks.
"The relationship between Israel and Greece has grown dramatically, and you're here for a trilateral meeting, also with Cyprus. I think we can develop the Eastern Mediterranean in a very substantial way for the benefit of all nations of the region, including our neighbors, the Palestinians, and, of course, the Arab states, going all the way to India. This has huge potential for so many things that humanity wants to see.
"But the fact that we are here in this home tells us and reminds us that we have to fight our enemies, and we have to change the reality in the region for a better future so that beautiful flowers like Ionas will not be killed by terrible people that surround us. Thank you for coming, and welcome to Israel."
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
"Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to the Karussis family for being so kind to open up their house welcoming us today. Ionas's assassination was a tragic event which reminds us of the necessity to fight terrorism in all its forms. And I want, again, to offer to the parents of Ionas our full support. We plan next year to fund a scholarship in his memory, and I know that his life might have been cut short by this horrible terrorist, but he left behind him a legacy of goodness, and his memory will live on.
"The Karussis family is a bridge of friendship between our two countries. Rest assured, Mr. President, that the strategic relationship between Greece and Israel has never been stronger. And if you include also Cyprus, as you said, you have three countries that are working together for a peaceful and stable Eastern Mediterranean. And this should be the hope of all of us, especially as we come towards Christmas, a celebration of peace and friendship. This is the spirit that we want present in this part of the world."
Attached photo credits: Haim Zach (GPO)
Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572