The Ottoman Empire, during Sokollu’s tenure as grand vizier, fights a war with Venice from 1570.

Negotiations between Cyprus’s Jewish community and Joseph Nasi, who has from 1553 held leading diplomatic and financial positions in the service of Suleiman and his son and successor, Selim II, have been uncovered by the Venetians and, as a result, the Jewish population of Famagusta (with the exception of Jews who are natives of the city) is expelled.

It is believed that Nasi had intended parts of Cyprus to be a Jewish colony, and has encouraged the Ottoman annexation of Cyprus in the war to this end; he has been granted a coat of arms by Selim that indicates he would be given viceregal rank in that colony.

Nasi's relative Abraham Beneviste is arrested in 1570, on charges of having set fire to the Venetian Arsenal on Nasi's instigation.