Protests have erupted in Libya following an informal meeting between the country’s foreign minister and her Israeli counterpart. The gathering, which has caused an uproar within Libya, took place against a backdrop of the nation’s firm support for the Palestinian cause and its non-recognition of Israel.
The meeting between Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush and Israel’s Eli Cohen was characterized by Cohen as a historic step towards building relations. Israel has been actively seeking closer ties with Arab and Muslim-majority nations, including resource-rich Libya. However, Libya’s presidential council, representing the nation’s three provinces, deems any attempt at normalization with Israel as illegal.
This controversial encounter led to allegations of grand treason against Mangoush by the parliamentary Speaker’s Office, prompting her suspension and an ongoing investigation. Eli Cohen indicated that the meeting occurred by chance during a summit in Rome, where they discussed potential collaboration on humanitarian aid, agriculture, water management, and the preservation of Jewish heritage in Libya.
The news of the meeting triggered demonstrations in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, and other areas. Protesters blocked roads, set tires on fire, and waved Palestinian flags, although the scale of the protests remained relatively modest.
Libya, marked by years of turmoil, is divided between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east. Any potential alignment with Israel would be further complicated by this political division, a legacy of the ousting of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi 12 years ago.
The Abraham Accords of 2020 set the stage for Israel’s efforts to normalize relations with nations hostile to it. Notably, Israel has achieved such diplomatic breakthroughs with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. However, these developments have been met with criticism, especially concerning Israel’s policies towards West Bank settlements and actions in occupied Palestinian territories.
In response to the controversial meeting, Libya’s Presidential Council demanded clarification from the government. The Council’s communication emphasized that such interactions contradict Libya’s foreign policy and national values, branding them a violation of Libyan laws that categorically reject normalizing relations with what they term the “Zionist entity.” The Council urged Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to uphold the law if the meeting did indeed take place.
During the rule of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s strong support for the Palestinian cause translated into the expulsion of numerous Jews from the country and the destruction of synagogues.