The Israel Defence Forces will carry out a large-scale military exercise in the Republic of Cyprus this Summer as part of 'War Month,' a four week training initiative to strengthen Israel's wartime readiness, including against the Gaza Strip, the self-governing Palestinian territory.

Israel is currently carrying out an aerial bombardment on Gaza, as well as preparing a deployment of troops and tanks at the border. So far 119 Palestinians have died - 31 of them children. The air raids have destroyed more than 200 housing units and 24 schools.

This petition calls on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus to cancel any contract or involvement in Israel's upcoming 'War Month' in direct opposition to any escalation of the current situation. We question and denounce Cyprus' involvement in this initiative considering the EU's call for an immediate end to the violence currently taking place. We do not consent to receiving Israel's assault helicopters, missile boats and warships to Cyprus as part of this training exercise.

Furthermore, in light of Israel's clear technological and military superiority, we question the need to use Cyprus as a training ground at all and oppose this action on a moral, humanitarian and political basis.