Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel if he goes ahead with his plan of meeting with representatives of Breaking the Silence and B'Tselem organizations.

Gabriel arrived in Israel on Monday and is set to meet with President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah in Ramallah.

He will also hold talks with Israeli opposition leader Issac Herzog who called on Netanyahu to rescind the ultimatum.

According to Channel 2 news, when Netanyahu learned of his planned meetings with representatives of the two leftist organizations, his office sent a message to the German delegation that this was provocative behavior.

However, in an attempt to compromise with the Germans, Netanyahu's office made it clear to Gabriel that it would not object to a junior representative meeting the organizations on Gabriel's behalf.

Gabriel responded saying that it would be "regrettable" if Netanyahu cancelled the meeting due to what the minister described as "completely normal" encounter.

He said a cancellation of the meeting with Netanyahu wouldn't be a "catastrophe" and wouldn't change his relationship with Israel.

"You can't get a proper and comprehensive picture in any country on Earth if you only meet in government offices."

Gabriel, who is also Deputy Chancellor, is making his first visit to Israel. He became Foreign Minister in January when his predecessor Frank-Walter Steinmeier became President of Germany, a country which is among Israel's strongest allies in Europe.

Herzog criticized Netanyahu and said that ''he is fleeing the playing field,.'' “Netanyahu’s ultimatum to the German Foreign Minister seriously harms Israel’s ties to Europe’s largest economy and a true friend of Israel.”

A similar incident occurred earlier this year after visiting Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel met with representatives of Breaking the Silence and B'Tselem a day after his meeting with Netanyahu. The Israeli premier then ordered the summoning of Belgium's ambassador to the foreign ministry.