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u/ClassAbolition

▲ 7 r/redcyprus

Note from myself (u/ClassAbolition): I decided to copy-paste this directly rather than simply crosspost it so that the post doesn't get lost if the OP is deleted or if the poster's account gets deleted one day.

Link to OP by u/yeyomontana: https://old.reddit.com/r/cyprus/comments/1m76jix/palestinians_supported_cyprus_during_the_turkish/

Wayback Machine link: https://web.archive.org/web/20260117205250/https://old.reddit.com/r/cyprus/comments/1m76jix/palestinians_supported_cyprus_during_the_turkish/

OP text:

I see Israelis sneakily trying to claim in the comments things along the lines of

“Israelis are the only ones acknowledging the turkish occupation, meanwhile palestinians openly support turkey and islamist nationalism”

First of all.. the fact that Israel supported Cyprus during its invasion, while Palestinians supported Turkey couldn’t be further from the truth. [Note: see also https://old.reddit.com/r/redcyprus/comments/1qfjxrn/israels_support_to_turkey_in_1974_thread_archive/ --u/ClassAbolition]

The facts are: In the aftermath of Turkey’s 1974 invasion of Cyprus, Israel remained silent, and by 1975, it had deepened military ties with Turkey, selling weapons like Uzi submachine guns, and Shafrir missiles. Meanwhile, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) offered direct support to Greek Cypriots, including diplomatic backing and military training of Cypriot forces in Lebanon. Far from siding with Turkey, the PLO publicly condemned the invasion as imperialist aggression, while Israel’s strategic alliance with Turkey only grew stronger.

This was well recognized by the Greek Cypriot resistance at the time which in turn offered refuge and shelter for Palestinian politicians. The beautiful relationship was based on anti-colonialism and hatred of occupation.

A lot of history revisionists will show up in the comments making highly unverified claims that were made specifically to distort this undeniable fact. It’s just not going to happen, and the memo you all seem to miss is that, the more you lie… the less people believe you… not the other way around.

Sources:

https://www.turkeyrecap.com/p/israel-turkey-relations

https://openaccess.bilgi.edu.tr/server/api/core/bitstreams/59ba8ef6-4c78-4302-ab02-3153ce09eda1/content

https://www.jstor.org/stable/164160

u/ClassAbolition — 4 months ago
▲ 3 r/redcyprus

Note from myself (u/ClassAbolition): I decided to copy-paste this directly rather than simply crosspost it so that the post doesn't get lost if the OP is deleted or if the poster's account gets deleted one day.

Link to OP by u/yeyomontana: https://old.reddit.com/r/cyprus/comments/1qfan5n/israels_support_to_turkey_in_1974/

Wayback Machine link: https://web.archive.org/web/20260117181117/https://old.reddit.com/r/cyprus/comments/1qfan5n/israels_support_to_turkey_in_1974/

OP text:

Israel supported Turkey during the 1974 invasion of Cyprus by providing critical military aid. This included selling Turkey F-4 Phantom fighter jets, which were used to bomb Greek Cypriot positions, and supplying Israel’s own stocks of US-made weapons. The deal was facilitated by the Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, who had a close relationship with Turkish officials. Israel also allowed Turkey to use Israeli airbases to stage bombing sorties against Cyprus. The weapons transfers and logistical support were kept secret to avoid international backlash, but documents later revealed the extent of Israel's material support for Turkey's aggression.

In addition to military hardware, Israel also provided Turkey with strategic intelligence, including satellite imagery of Greek Cypriot defenses. This intelligence helped the Turkish military identify key targets during the invasion. The aid was part of a broader alliance between Turkey and Israel, which included the sharing of intelligence and military technology.

Comment by u/yeyomontana elaborating on sources:

Here are primary sources and databases confirming Israel’s arms sales to Turkey in the late 1970s, during the US embargo (1975-1978):

SIPRI Arms Transfers Database (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) Official database tracking global arms transfers. Query “Israel” as supplier, “Turkey” as recipient, years 1975-1980: Confirms Gabriel anti-ship missiles (1977), artillery shells, F-5 avionics, and munitions. Link: https://sipri.org/databases/armstransfers (Interactive tool; select parameters for exact transfers.)

SIPRI Yearbook 1978 (Chapter on arms transfers, p. 100-105) Details Israeli sales of Gabriel Mk2 missiles (up to 80 units) and ammunition post-embargo. Archived PDF: https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/1978

Israeli State Archives - Declassified Military Export Documents (via Israel Defense Ministry records) References to 1975-1978 deals, including 100mm shells and spares. Link: https://www.archives.gov.il/en/ (Search “Turkey arms 1970s” or file series on defense exports.)

Turkish Military Records via TBMM (Grand National Assembly) Reports Acknowledges Israeli munitions during embargo gap. Link: https://www.tbmm.gov.tr/komisyon/kita/raporlar/ (1970s defense committee reports; Turkish language, search “İsrail silah.”)

Journal of Palestine Studies (Vol. 7, No. 1, Autumn 1977) Article “Israel-Turkey Arms Deal” notes immediate post-invasion sales. Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2535692

INSS (Institute for National Security Studies) Insight No. 1045 (2010 retrospective) “Israel-Turkey Military Ties: From Cooperation to Crisis” – Section on 1970s sales during embargo. Link: https://www.inss.org.il/publication/turkey-military/

Commenter:

"No f-4s flew over Cyprus during the invasion"

u/yeyomontana's response:

Unfortunately I believe that is incorrect.

Primary sources:

u/ClassAbolition — 4 months ago