US-'Israel' tensions surge amid Libya FM row
2 Min Read
The US has expressed serious concerns the handling of the Libya incident could deter other countries from seeking to establish normalization with "Israel", as per Israeli media.
-
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen talks to the media during a press conference at the Presidential palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, on March 31, 2023. (AP)
US President Joe Biden's administration is said to have been angered by "Tel Aviv's" revelation of the meeting between the foreign ministers of "Israel" and Libya last week, Israeli media reported.
The announcement by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen about the meeting led to criticism in both Libya and "Israel." Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Al-Mangoush was subsequently dismissed due to the political fallout, and the US expressed grave worries that the incident might discourage other nations from pursuing normalization with "Israel." The US also noted that the episode damaged communication channels with Libya that were working on recognizing the Israeli occupation.
The US administration reportedly conveyed its resentment to "Israel" and requested the situation to be mitigated. The acting US Ambassador to "Israel," Stephanie Hallett, directed Cohen to fix the situation, emphasizing the need to refrain from further public discussion of the meeting.
The US concern is twofold: first, that Cohen's action might discourage other nations from pursuing normalization with "Israel," and second, that it could harm the existing diplomatic channels, as per Israeli media reports.
Fanning the flames of an internal war
The revelation of the meeting also drew criticism from within "Israel", with concerns raised about the damage it caused to "foreign relations". The Mossad spy agency reportedly noted that Cohen's actions had severely harmed "relationships" that had been developed over recent years.
The meeting between the foreign ministers triggered political turmoil in both "Israel" and Libya.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh suspended Al-Mangoush following the revelation, while also pledging no normalization with "Israel" during a visit to the Palestinian embassy in Tripoli.
Angry #Libyans took to the streets after last week’s meeting between the foreign ministers of "Israel" and #Libya was exposed. pic.twitter.com/VrwWGrBOUp
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 28, 2023
Cohen's actions were criticized as irresponsible and damaging to "Israel's" international reputation by opposition leaders within "Israel". Experts emphasized that the leak undermined "Israel's credibility in diplomatic affairs." This is happening as internal turmoil has been brewing within "Israel", giving rise to challenges and tensions that have captured global attention. Issues of political significance, ideological divides, and concerns by settler communities have combined to create an atmosphere of an imminent internal war.
Read next: Normalization: A stab in the back to the Palestinian cause
