The US regrets the passage of Israel's first judicial reform law
Since the Israeli government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu announced its intention to reform the country's judicial system, the country has been embroiled in internal tension. The executive's proposed measure has provoked an unprecedented situation in the country, leading to mass protests and causing deep social division.
The judicial reform has also caused ties between Israel and its main international ally, the United States, to cool considerably. Joe Biden's administration has repeatedly expressed its rejection of Israeli government measures, such as plans to reform the judiciary or the construction of settlements in the West Bank.
Once again, Washington has spoken out on the controversial Israeli judicial reform, reiterating the need for a "broad consensus" in order for "important changes in a democracy to be lasting". In a statement issued by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the Biden administration condemned the Knesset's passage of the first judicial reform bill.
So today the gov started it take over of the High Court and in the same night they decided to show us what a dictatorship looks like. Absolute chaos in Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/7gdrs8bWvn
— Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן (@Istanbultelaviv) July 25, 2023
"It is regrettable that today's vote took place with the slimmest possible majority," the statement said. Despite massive demonstrations and criticism - both internal and external - Israel's parliament has ratified the first part of the judicial reform, aimed at limiting the power of the Supreme Court. Biden, like other international leaders, has stressed the importance of protecting the independence of the judiciary, a key pillar of democracy. However, some Republican politicians have accused the US president of meddling in Israel's internal affairs.
In the statement, the White House stresses its traditional friendship with Israel and recalls that negotiations continue and "are likely to continue over the coming weeks and months to forge a broader engagement". The US also expresses its willingness to continue to support the efforts of Israeli President Isaac Herzog and other national leaders in "their search for a broader consensus through political dialogue".
💥Begin Highway, Jerusalem. Not letting a prime minister with unfettered power slide. pic.twitter.com/8T7fi8TPsR
— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي💙 (@NTarnopolsky) July 24, 2023
After approving the first law of the controversial reform, Netanyahu announced that in the coming days the government and the opposition will resume talks on the judicial changes in the hope of reaching an agreement by the end of November. He also stressed that the courts would remain independent. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, the former prime minister, dismissed Netanyahu's statements as "lies", claiming that he was only seeking to defuse tensions with Washington and calm protests.
Despite the current rift between Biden and Netanyahu, cooperation between the two countries on key issues such as security and military cooperation remains intact. Last week, the US president also invited the Israeli prime minister to Washington for an official visit later this year. "We have a long-standing friendship with the government of Israel that really transcends any one issue," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, according to Reuters. White House spokeswoman Jean-Pierre also stressed at a press conference that Washington's commitment to Israel remains "ironclad".
In addition to the US, the European Union "shares the protesters' concerns about judicial reform", an EU official told The Jerusalem Post. Like the protesters, Brussels is concerned that these changes will limit the Supreme Court's ability to challenge government decisions, thus weakening its power.
Americas Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.
