Although the cabinet is the primary policymaking body of Israel and is empowered to decide Israel's policies in all areas of activity subject to the approval of the Knesset, at times, much of the cabinet's work has been conducted by a small and select group of ministers meeting informally. When Golda Meir was prime minister, these informal meetings generally were referred to as the "kitchen cabinet."
Historical Dictionary of Israel. Bernard Reich David H. Goldberg. Edited by Jon Woronoff..