Digital streaming service Netflix has come under fire for its upcoming series on the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.

President Ersin Tatar voiced his disapproval in an interview with CNN Türk, stating that “you cannot deceive the world by distorting history.”

During an interview with CNN Türk, President Tatar criticized the series, arguing that it misrepresents historical facts and is an attempt to mislead the international community. According to a statement from the TRNC Presidency, Tatar emphasized: “The reactions are significant; there are strong reactions from both the TRNC and Türkiye. I am pleased to see this. It is unbecoming of a digital platform to get involved in a political issue with a one-sided perspective.”

President Tatar further explained that the Cyprus issue did not begin in 1974 and that the Peace Operation was primarily a military intervention to prevent the genocide of Turkish Cypriots.

“As Ecevit said, ‘Our intervention brings peace to Cyprus.’ This peace is not only for Turkish Cypriots but Greek Cypriots as well. The entire world knows that the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation stopped the bloodshed, and peace has prevailed in this difficult region for 50 years.”

He drew parallels between the situation in Cyprus before 1974 and the current events in Gaza, highlighting that the world watched similar atrocities unfold.

He underscored the importance of Turkish Cypriots making their voices heard and suggested they are exploring different methods to counteract the narratives being promoted.

Tatar concluded by criticizing the series as an example of propaganda being used for political purposes.

“If some people use this for their dark propaganda and political ambitions, it does not suit them either. We need to produce our own series to tell our story. Just as the Jews broadcast their propaganda on Gaza events, and the Greeks and Greek Cypriots mislead the world through their propaganda, we will express our reactions to this situation accordingly,” he said.