/ world today news/ Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected Biden’s call to “give up” on judicial reform. The head of the Israeli government said that he would not give in to “pressure from abroad”.
Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Joe Biden’s call to “reject” proposed judicial reform that has sparked widespread protests in Israel, with the Jewish state’s prime minister replying that he does not make decisions based on pressure from abroad.
As The Guardian recalls, Netanyahu on Monday postponed the controversial reform of the judicial system after a large number of Israelis took to the streets. The White House initially suggested that Netanyahu seek a compromise, but the US president went further when answering questions from reporters on Tuesday.
“I hope he turns it down,” Biden said.
“Like a lot of staunch supporters of Israel, I’m very concerned … They can’t continue down this path, and I’ve kind of made that clear,” Biden told reporters on a trip to North Carolina.
“We hope that the Prime Minister [Нетаняху] will act in a way that tries to work out some kind of real compromise, but that remains to be seen,” Biden said, adding that he was not considering inviting the Israeli leader to the White House, at least “not in the short term.”
Earlier, US Ambassador to Israel Tom Needs told local radio that Netanyahu’s invitation was expected “as soon as their schedules can be agreed”.
Netanyahu quickly responded with a statement: “Israel is a sovereign state that makes its decisions according to the will of its people, not based on pressure from abroad, including best friends.”
“I have known President Biden for more than 40 years and appreciate his longstanding commitment to Israel,” Netanyahu said.
He said the Israeli-American alliance is unbreakable “and always overcomes occasional differences between us.”
“My administration is committed to strengthening democracy by restoring the appropriate balance between the three branches of government, which we seek to achieve through broad consensus,” Netanyahu said.
On Tuesday evening, Israel’s far-right government and opposition parties held their first meeting on the judiciary proposals.
“After about an hour and a half, the meeting, which took place in a positive spirit, ended,” President Isaac Herzog’s office said late Tuesday.
“Tomorrow, President Isaac Herzog will continue the series of meetings,” it added.
It comes amid turmoil in Israeli politics, with questions over whether Defense Minister Yoav Galant, fired by Netanyahu, refuses to step down and concerns that the prime minister may have promised too much to far-right politicians in exchange for a deal aimed at cracking down on the nationwide demonstrations.
Netanyahu fired Gallant for breaching discipline and openly calling for an end to the government’s reform of the judiciary. But aides to the defense minister said he would remain in office, arguing that Yoav Galant had not been formally notified of his dismissal.
Amid the wave of protests, Netanyahu announced in a speech on Monday that he was delaying his proposals, saying he needed time to find a compromise with political opponents.
The move temporarily calmed simmering anger: the main union called off its strike after his speech and Israeli streets were mostly quiet on Tuesday, The Guardian reported.
Netanyahu’s speech ended a busy day in which hospitals, universities, ports and the international airport were effectively shut down in protest at changes to the judiciary that many see as limiting the power of judges to hold the government accountable. Late in the evening, government supporters attacked TV presenters and Arabs.
Later on Tuesday, questions were raised about Netanyahu’s control and the credibility of his ruling coalition, which includes a mix of right-wing nationalists, religious leaders and far-right figures.
Netanyahu was able to placate National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the most vocal supporter of the far-right Jewish Power party’s judicial reform bill, only by agreeing to the formation of a “national guard” under Ben-Gvir’s control.
While there were questions about whether Netanyahu had made an empty promise, critics slammed the plans for what they called a militia.
“The prime minister has bribed the far right with a promise to create a militia that will threaten the citizens of Israel – especially those protesting the coup – as long as his government exists,” the left-wing Haaretz newspaper said in an editorial.
The article called on the Israelis to “continue to pressure Netanyahu until he gives up the coup.”
The organizers of the protest promised to continue with the rallies.
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