Israel Foreign Ministry confirms 34 Israelis booted from Cyprus

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirms that 34 Israelis are being expelled from Cyprus  after they were stopped on their way to hotels in the northern section of the island, which has been occupied by Turkey since 1974.

The measure comes as Cypriot authorities enforced a crackdown against visits to the area, a popular vacation destination. Under Cypriot law, tourists are forbidden from entering Cyprus from the occupied north and face expulsion if they do. Those who arrive in Cyprus with the intention of continuing on to Turkish-held areas can also be stopped.

The Israeli tourists arrived at Larnaca airport in the Republic of Cyprus but when they revealed to authorities they were planning to continue on to hotels in the north, they were detained. Some have already been sent back to Israel while the rest are awaiting return flights, the MFA says.

Two of the Israelis were arrested for arguing with police, the MFA adds.

On Sunday the Foreign Ministry issued a reminder of a previous travel advisory against visiting northern Cyprus. The advisory said that anyone entering Cyprus from the northern territory would receive a black mark in their passport and be banned from returning to Cyprus for 10 years. Offenders could also be fined or face up to 12 months in prison.