After the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime, Israel sought contact with the two governments vying for Libyan representation in Benghazi and the internationally backed Tripoli government. Despite the angry backlash that erupted in Libya following the announcement of the meeting between Mangoush and Cohen, there was a legacy of secret relations between Israel and the government that runs eastern Libya. Israel has managed contacts with the Libyan parties through three main channels: The channel launched by Rafael Luzon, president of the Libyan Jewish Union. The channel managed by the Mossad and overseen by Ronen Levy.