Libyans burn Israeli flag in protest of normalization meeting
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The Libyan people are underlining their rejection of their government's move to normalize ties with the Israeli occupation to their dismay.
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Libyan protestors setting fire to the Israeli flag in Al-Zawiya, Libya, August 28, 2023 (Social Media)
In a display of dissent against the government over its normalization meeting with the Israeli occupation, Libyan protesters set fire to the Israeli flag during demonstrations in the cities of Al-Zawiya and Tajoura.
حرق العلم الإسرائيلي أثناء تظاهرة في الزاوية غرب ليبيا، ردًا على لقاء وزيرة الخارجية الليبية بوزير الخارجية الإسرائيلي في روما. pic.twitter.com/3atRVFS2pb
— وكالة شهاب للأنباء (@ShehabAgency) August 27, 2023
In the eastern Libyan city of Tajoura, demonstrators closed a major street in protest against the normalization meeting. They threatened to escalate their actions, including blocking railway access to the headquarters of the Dbeibeh government.
Read next: PIJ condemns Libya-'Israel' normalization meeting
The news of the normalization meeting prompted a wave of anger among Libyans on social media, condemning what they perceive as an act of "betrayal" committed by everyone involved.
In a statement commenting on the incident, the Libyan Foreign Ministry stressed adherence to Al-Quds as the eternal capital of Palestine, and this is a firm position that cannot be reversed.
Libyan Foreign Ministry said that FM Najla Al-Mangoush refused to hold any meetings with any party representing the Israeli entity, and she remains firm regarding that position.
The ministry claimed that what happened in Rome was an informal and unplanned casual meeting during a meeting with the Italian Foreign Minister, adding that it renews its complete and absolute rejection of normalization [of relations with "Israel"] and confirms once again its firm position regarding the Palestinian cause.
On his part, the Head of the National Unity Government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, suspended Foreign Minister Al-Mangoush as a precaution and referred her for investigation.
The Israeli-Libyan meeting, described by Israeli media as "historic," has drawn substantial attention and controversy.
The secretive encounter marks the first time foreign ministers from "Israel" and Libya have engaged in direct talks, opening the door for the Libyan government to shamefully join the group of normalizing Arab states.
The discussions are believed to have revolved around opportunities for collaboration and communication, with a particular emphasis on preserving the heritage of Libyan Jews, according to Israeli occupation Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.
Cohen stated that the historic meeting was the first step in the relationship between the Israeli occupation and Libya. He emphasized that Libya's size and location give it significant importance and immense potential for "Israel".
"This meeting comes in the context of a series of similar meetings with representatives from countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with the aim of expanding the circle of peace and normalization with Israel," he added.
"I spoke with the foreign minister about the great potential for the two countries from their relations," Cohen said in a statement, "as well as the importance of preserving the heritage of Libyan Jewry, which includes renovating synagogues and Jewish cemeteries in the country."
A Libyan Official Speaks Out: The Meeting as a Coincidence
Meanwhile, former media attaché at the Libyan embassy in Tunisia, Jamal Al-Kafali, quoted a source within the Dbeibeh government as saying: "Al-Mangoush was in a meeting with her Italian counterpart when the Israeli Foreign Minister arrived."
"Al-Mangoush's encounter with the Israeli Foreign Minister lasted no more than 10 minutes," the source added. He also affirmed that the Minister conveyed Libya's rejection of normalization with "Israel" to those present.
The claims made by Israeli media regarding Al-Mangoush's willingness to fully cooperate with the Israeli occupation are entirely false. He further highlighted that the Libyan Prime Minister has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident, with a later statement expected from the Foreign Minister.
Libya remains a divided nation, with the Tripoli government led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and the government of Osman Haftar operating in the eastern region, supported by the parliament and military commander Khalifa Haftar.
While the notion of a possible normalization between Libya and "Israel" is not entirely new, this recent development carries substantial weight, as it represents a blatant step towards dialogue between the two governments.
