Jeremy Corbyn: UK Base in Cyprus Used for Arms Transfers to Israel

Speaking at a “working day” event organized by AKEL for left-wing parties in Europe, Corbyn said this situation was drawing Cyprus more deeply into regional hostilities.

According to a report in the Cyprus Mail, Corbyn said: “There must be full support for the Palestinian people’s right to live in freedom, an end to the Israeli occupation, a recognition of what is happening by its real name — genocide — and practical solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

In his speech, Corbyn also criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, saying that under her leadership the European Union had turned toward “massive arms spending” and that “shares in arms companies have risen sharply due to ongoing wars.”

Corbyn’s remarks followed a call made last month by Steve Masters, who served as a technician in the RAF for 19 years. Masters urged the British government to release footage of flights carried out over Gaza from Akrotiri.

While it has been alleged that these flights collected intelligence shared with Israel, Masters said keeping the footage classified “strengthens the suspicion that the UK is providing material support to a genocide.”

Masters stated, “Accountability is necessary; if that means going to The Hague, so be it.” When asked whether the intelligence shared with Israel could have been used to target civilians, he replied, “That does not stretch anyone’s imagination.”

Corbyn has previously made similar statements, asking: “What is the purpose of this base? Does it serve any function other than supporting the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the continuous bombardment of Gaza?”

In comments made last year, Corbyn said he was concerned that the UK’s bases in Cyprus were being used as stopover points for flights to Israel and were playing a role in surveillance operations conducted over Gaza.