Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives on Saturday expressing her solidarity with the protest movement against the overhaul in Israel.
The resolution states that “Congress believes that democracy is central to the special relationship between the United States and Israel; Congress opposes actions that undermine Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state; and Congress stands with all Israelis who seek to defend liberal democracy, judicial oversight, and independent political institutions operating within a system of checks and balances.”
She received support from fellow Democrats, Republicans Annie Kuster (New Hampshire-02), Jerry Nadler (New York-12), Jamie Raskin (Maryland-08), Julia Brownley (California-26), Gerry Connolly (Virginia -11), Madeleine Dean (Pennsylvania-04), Rosa DeLauro (Connecticut-03), Anna Eshoo (California-16), Dan Goldman (New York-10), Barbara Lee (New York-12), Mark Takano (New York-39) and Susan Wild (Pennsylvania-07).
The resolution is symbolic and unlikely to be adopted.
Last week, Democratic Representative Kathy Manning, one of her party’s most pro-Israel lawmakers, criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
“What this far-right government is doing, and in particular the obstacles it is raising in the face of the two-state solution, worries many,” she said during a webinar organized by the Jewish Federations. of North America (JFNA).
Kathy Manning at a campaign meeting at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina on Oct. 19, 2018. (Gerry Broome/AP Photo)
Manning’s remarks – former chair of the JFNA board of directors – were all the more unusual in that she had so far refrained from criticizing successive Israeli governments.
Manning said she was particularly proud to see President Isaac Herzog address a joint session of Congress and discuss his unsuccessful attempt to find a compromise on the issue of judicial overhaul.
She added that she had been in contact with Israeli MPs before Monday’s adoption of the law depriving the judiciary of any control over the “reasonableness” of executive decisions, and “having had confirmation that negotiations had place to reach a compromise, and slow down the pace of reform”.
“Yesterday, we witnessed a questioning of the consensus and a measured approach,” she regretted.
Manning wasn’t the only Democrat to be disappointed.
“Legitimate checks and balances are essential in all democracies. The Knesset’s vote today on a law depriving the Israeli Supreme Court of its power to block government decisions is contrary to democratic values. I implore Mr. Netanyahu to uphold the core values that have allowed Israel to prosper and develop,” tweeted Senator Ben Cardin, who will retire next year.
MK Jerry Nadler wrote in a statement to him that “Netanyahu and his extremist coalition have ignored the call for consensus made by the president and the people of Israel… [et] passed a law that profane judicial independence. This is a dark day for Israeli democracy.”
“Despite these challenges, as peaceful protesters in Israel and the United States have made clear, the hope of Israelis and the Diaspora community that inspired Israel’s founding and prosperity persists. Today’s deeply disappointing vote in the Knesset should not mark a failure, but rather an opportunity to renew that hope and continue to fight for a democratic Israel,” Nadler added.
“As a pro-Israel Jew, I am deeply disappointed to witness the passage of the first stage of the anti-democratic judicial overhaul plan. The Israeli government should heed the voice of its citizens, seek consensus and reaffirm its commitment to the checks and balances of democracy,” New York Rep. Dan Goldman tweeted.
“Israel must maintain its democracy, which means preserving an independent judiciary. Today’s vote in the Knesset is a rollback of democratic values,” MK Madeline Dean wrote Monday.
2023-07-30 12:16:28
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