Foreign Minister Eli Cohen of Israel and his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, held a historic meeting last week in Italy, marking the first-ever official meeting between the top diplomats of the two countries. The meeting focused on discussing the possibility of cooperation and the preservation of Jewish heritage sites in Libya. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that topics such as Israeli humanitarian aid, agriculture, water management, and other areas of potential collaboration were also brought up during the meeting.
Minister Cohen emphasized the significance of the meeting, calling it a “first step” in establishing ties between Israel and Libya. He highlighted the strategic location and importance of Libya, stating that it holds enormous potential for Israel to establish relations with the country. Cohen also stressed the importance of preserving the heritage of Libyan Jewry, including the renovation of synagogues and Jewish cemeteries in Libya.
Libya was home to a sizable Jewish community until most of its members left during the period surrounding the establishment of the State of Israel. Currently, there are no Jews believed to be living in Libya. In 2021, a group of Libyan Jewish expats raised concerns about an abandoned synagogue in Libya being converted into an Islamic religious center without permission.
The meeting between the foreign ministers has sparked speculation in the Libyan press, with some suggesting that Raphael Faelino Luzon, chairman of the Union of Libyan Jews, played a role in organizing the meeting. Libya has been in a state of chaos since the NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country has been divided into rival administrations in the east and west, backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
While Israel and Libya have never had official ties, there have been reported contacts between Israeli officials and Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam. Gaddafi himself reportedly reached out to Israel on several occasions, proposing a united Israeli-Palestinian country called Isratine. In 2021, the son of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar reportedly visited Israel for a secret meeting, offering to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries in exchange for Israeli support.
The meeting between the foreign ministers has received criticism from Libyan presidential candidate Suleiman al-Bayoudi, who accused Prime Minister Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibeh of promoting normalization with Israel to gain favor with the United States. Al-Bayoudi called for Dbeibeh’s exclusion from the upcoming election, which is scheduled to take place by the end of this year.
The United Nations has warned about the political divisions in Libya, stating that they pose risks of violence and disintegration for the country. Recently, clashes between rival militias in Tripoli resulted in numerous casualties, including civilians.
Gianluca Pacchiani and agencies contributed to this report.
What specific areas of collaboration were discussed during the meeting between Minister Cohen and his Libyan counterpart, and how might they benefit both countries economically and socially
The Foreign Minister of Israel, Eli Cohen, and his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, achieved a historic milestone with their first-ever official meeting in Italy last week. The main objective of the meeting was to explore the potential for cooperation between the two countries and discussed the preservation of Jewish heritage sites in Libya. Additionally, topics such as Israeli humanitarian aid, agriculture, water management, and other areas of collaboration were brought to the table.
Minister Cohen highlighted the significance of this meeting, considering it as a crucial initial step in building relations between Israel and Libya. He emphasized the strategic location and importance of Libya, stating that it presents a great opportunity for Israel to establish diplomatic ties with the country. Furthermore, Cohen underlined the need to preserve the heritage of Libyan Jewry, including the rehabilitation of synagogues and Jewish cemeteries in Libya.
In the past, Libya housed a substantial Jewish community that largely dispersed during the time surrounding the establishment of the State of Israel.
This is a significant step towards fostering peace and understanding between nations. It’s crucial to preserve the cultural and historical sites that hold immense value for different communities.
It’s inspiring to see countries coming together to work towards common goals, especially in preserving the rich cultural heritage that belongs to us all.