German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said Wednesday that it was "regrettable" that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
denied her foreign minister a meeting after the diplomat held talks with radical-leftist groups.
"The chancellor finds it regrettable that a meeting between Foreign Minister (Sigmar) Gabriel and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Netanyahu did not take place," he told reporters at a regular government briefing.
"It should not be problematic for foreign visitors to meet with critical representatives of civil society."