Biden’s call to Netanyahu: Enough
US President Joe Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop voting in the Israeli Knesset on the bill that would lift Supreme Court control over the government, which is part of his controversial “judicial reform” proposal.
Biden said in a special statement to the Axios news site that he was “concerned” about the judicial regulation law and its possible consequences. Emphasizing that from the point of view of Israel’s “friends” in the US, Biden said the “current judicial reform proposal” is believed to deepen the conflict in the country, adding that “Given the various threats and challenges facing Israel today, it makes no sense for Israeli leaders to rush, the focus should be on bringing people together and achieving reconciliation.”
Speaking to Axios, two sources noted that in a phone call on Monday, July 17, after a four-month hiatus, Biden urged Netanyahu to seek a broad consensus on controversial “judicial reform.” Biden reportedly conveyed to him that many US citizens share his concerns about the extent to which Netanyahu is taking Israel.
THE PENTAGON IS ALSO CONCERNED
Speaking to Axios, another US official said the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) is concerned that the “crisis” facing the Israeli military could have negative effects on the country’s deterrence strategy.
The official also said there were concerns that tensions in Israel could encourage Iran or Hezbollah to “military provocations” that could increase tensions in the region.
The “judicial reform” announced by Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin on January 5 includes changes such as limiting the powers of the Supreme Court and the power to have a say in judicial appointments.
The Netanyahu government announced that the bill that will remove Supreme Court control over the government in the realm of judicial regulation, after the first vote on July 11, will be brought to Parliament on July 24 for the second and third votes.
Senior personalities from Israel’s politics, military, security, economy and judiciary spoke out against the government’s judicial regulation. The Netanyahu government’s protest movement against judicial regulation has continued its demonstrations for about 7 months. (AA)