How Eli Cohen's meet with Libyan FM rolls back Abraham Accords

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Diaspora correspondents Tal Schneider and Lazar Berman join host Jacob Magid for Wednesday’s podcast. Schneider and Berman take us through the past 72 hours since Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s decision to publicize his recent meeting with Libyan counterpart. They discuss why Cohen chose to blow the story open, what other Israeli ministries are saying about the decision, how countries abroad have reacted and why Libya is interested in warming ties with Israel in the first place. They also explain how Cohen’s conduct may impact efforts by Israel to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and expand the Abraham Accords more broadly. Later on during the episode, Schneider and Berman talk about Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s awkward trip the United States during which he is barred by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from meeting with Biden officials in Washington since the premier has yet to do himself. They highlight Opposition chairman Yair Lapid’s plan to head to DC next week and what’s behind his anticipated meetings with US officials. Discussed articles include: Foreign minister met Libyan counterpart to discuss joint cooperation, Israel says Libya suspends FM, announces investigation after her meeting with Israeli counterpart Libya fires its FM amid furor over her unprecedented meet with Israeli counterpart FM Cohen blasted for dangerous amateurism after hyping meet with Libyan counterpart Cohen blames political opponents for firestorm over meet he publicized with Libya FM Seeking distance from Libya debacle, Netanyahu says he must approve any secret talks Netanyahu knew in advance of FM’s meeting with Libyan counterpart – reports Arab diplomats: Israeli publication of Libya talks harms bid to reconvene Negev Forum Libya’s anti-Israel protests fueled by rage at unelected leaders clinging to power US said furious with Israel for revealing meeting with Libyan foreign minister Gallant warns UN chief: Potential for violence growing amid Hezbollah provocations Gallant meets US officials in NYC after Netanyahu said to bar talks in Washington Lapid headed to Washington, while Netanyahu still awaits date for Biden meeting Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: People burn photos showing Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and his Libyan counterpart Najla Mangoush in Tripoli, Libya, on August 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Yousef Murad)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.