United States President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning him against the proposed judicial system reform that has been met with widespread protests from the people and other lawmakers.
The Democrat said on Sunday that democratic values, including "genuine checks and balances," must remain pillars of the U.S.-Israel relationship. It was considered a hidden warning over Netanyahu's planned reform bill.
Biden Speaks with Netanyahu
During their conversation, the U.S. president expressed his concern regarding Netanyahu's judicial reform plan in a "candid and constructive conversation." The discussions lasted roughly 45 minutes, said an anonymous senior administration official familiar with the matter.
The White House, in a readout of the call, said that Biden underscored his belief that democratic values have long been and still are the hallmark of the relationship between the U.S. and Israel. They added that fundamental changes should be pursued using the broadest possible base of popular support, as per the Washington Post.
Furthermore, the Democrat said that he supported the political talks that were now being held in Israel to find the best way forward regarding Netanyahu's judicial system reform plans. The White House said that Biden offered his support for the negotiations for a compromise.
The Israeli prime minister's proposed changes would grant Knesset lawmakers the power to control judicial appointments. They will be able to eliminate judicial review of legislation and allow parliament to vote against decisions of the Supreme Court.
The proposal has resulted in widespread protests in Israel, joined by tens of thousands of citizens who warned that the changes would destroy the country's democratic system. They argue it would no longer protect the nation's court from the political system.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog was the one that issued a proposed compromise that Netanyahu initially rejected. In response, the Israeli prime minister said that Israel was, and will continue to be, a strong and vibrant democracy, according to the Times of Israel.
Israel's Proposed Judicial Reform
Reporters asked whether or not the U.S. president used the phone call with Netanyahu to extend an invitation to visit the White House. The administration official avoided directly answering the particular question, saying that the government was looking forward to having the two leaders together again in the future.
Last month, an American official said that plans by Biden to host the Israeli prime minister have been delayed amid frustrations with the new government's policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians. As it stands, the opposition said that the plans would weaken Israel's democratic character. However, reform supporters call it a much-needed chance to rein in what they called an activist court.
On the other hand, Netanyahu on Sunday said that the proposed legal chances would be carried out responsibly while also protecting the fundamental rights of all the country's citizens. The prime minister's government, seen as the right-most leaning party in history, argued that the reform aims to balance the power given to courts and prevent lawmakers from carrying out the voting public's will, said Politico.
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