Netanyahu Tightens Grip on Diplomacy: Demands Personal Approval for Secrets Post Controversial Libya Meeting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed government ministers to obtain his personal approval before the release of any secret diplomatic meetings following a recent controversy surrounding a meeting between Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and his Libyan counterpart. The meeting was revealed by Cohen and caused outrage in Libya, a country that does not recognize Israel.

Cohen defended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' work and its efforts to strengthen Israel's connections with other countries. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Cohen's handling of the diplomatic exchange, calling it "amateurish" and a "serious failure of judgment." Netanyahu's directive aims to distance himself from the storm caused by the meeting.