Israel seeks to deploy 20,000 commandos in Greek Cyprus

[what]

Israel wants its energy projects in Greek Cyprus to be run by Israelis and is seeking to deploy as many as 20,000 commandos for their protection, Anatolia news agency reported today.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Greek Cypriot counterpart, Demetris Christofias, met on Feb. 16 to discuss the two countries' joint ventures. Details of the talks between the two leaders were kept secret.

Anatolia cited a source it said was close to the Greek Cypriot government who reportedly said Christophias specifically asked Netanyahu to convince Israeli businessmen to halt their investments in Turkish Cyprus during the meeting.

Netanyahu reportedly offered during the same meeting to undertake all the expenses required to construct a gas plant needed to extract the natural gas found in the Mediterranean Sea, the report said. In exchange, Netanyahu asked that all the 10,000 personnel that would work at the plant be brought in from Israel with their families, which would increase the number to nearly 30,000.

The high number of Israelis in Greek Cyprus would present a security issue, which Netanyahu suggested be solved by sending as many as 20,000 Israeli commandos to safeguard both the Israelis and the natural gas plant, the agency said.

Israel's offer sought to place the personnel and commandos in Limassol in Greek Cyprus.

Anatolia's source in Greek Cyprus reportedly said, "The Israelis were coming here to settle for good."


INTERNATIONAL - Israel seeks to deploy 20,000 commandos in Greek Cyprus

 

[Saithan]

Lol... sounds like a plan that'll develope into annexing G.C. soon they won't have anywhere else to go

 

[Quasar]

hmmm it seems israel is colonizing southern cyprus...

 

[Serpentine]

20,000 commandos for protecting some projects and workers?Who the hell is gonna believe that?

 

[silko]

lol... even Cypriot national guard doesn't have 20 000 soldiers in their own country (active)

 

[Skorpian]

This will widen the conflict between Israel and Turkey, making relations even worse and worse. Such move will make Turkish-Israeli relations almost impossible to re-establish.
If Israel wants to get back its relations with Turkey, then they must back down. Turkey wouldn't give up North Cyprus' security. I expect that if Israel indeed does this, Turkey will follow by deploying forces and troops to North Cyprus.

 

[Ottoman-Turk]

we already have 30,000 troops their which is enough + the locals in a conflict which we will arm for their security

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

20,000 Commandos? INTERNATIONAL might be considering an Israeli soldier as a commando since they are highly trained.

20,000 is a statement. Part of the Israel Base in Cyprus?

 

[lem34]

Rubbish I can not believe Israelis would be that stupid. They do not need more problems

 

[BordoEnes]

Rubbish indeed, Doubt israel is willing to deploy over 1/5 of its entire army on some rock in the medditerean.

 

[Adir-M]

Rubbish indeed, Doubt israel is willing to deploy over 1/5 of its entire army on some rock in the medditerean.

ISRAEL Active personnel 176,500
Reserve 445,000

 

[BordoEnes]

ISRAEL Active personnel 176,500
Reserve 445,000

Meeeh, Still Alot rather to much for an country like Israel.

 

[Adir-M]

Meeeh, Still Alot rather to much for an country like Israel.

True rubbish report.
Israel may consider to put f16 squadron uav's and littel number of trained soldiers to protect the gas.
There is no need for 20,000soldier

 

[Ottoman-Turk]

greeks are getting colonised by little israel after hundreds of years of rule by us ruling both

 

[Cheetah786]

Bankrupt Greeks asking Welfare state of Israel for help i think there is more to it then the eye can see.

20,000 Commandos? INTERNATIONAL might be considering an Israeli soldier as a commando since they are highly trained.

20,000 is a statement. Part of the Israel Base in Cyprus?

Yes shooting unarmed civilians all day long will make you highly trained and considered very dangerous.