Israel will not tolerate interference in its internal affairs, even from ‘best friends’, PM says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded after President Joe Biden raised concerns about proposed judicial reforms in Israel, insisting his country would make its own decisions and not succumb to “foreign pressure”.
In a series of tweets shared on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu noted that he had known his American counterpart from “over 40” and praised Biden for his “Longstanding commitment to Israel.” However, he urged Washington not to meddle in his country’s internal affairs, after Biden said he was “very concerned” about upcoming legal changes.
“My administration is committed to strengthening democracy by restoring the proper balance between the three branches of government, which we are striving to achieve through broad consensus,” Netanyahu said, adding “Israel is a sovereign country that makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressure from abroad, including best friends.”
Israel is a sovereign country that makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressure from abroad, including best friends.
— Benjamin Netanyahu March 28, 2023
The controversial judicial reform would allow Israel’s parliament to overrule Supreme Court rulings by a simple majority vote, a move that critics say will weaken the judiciary’s traditional check on government power. The reform sparked large protests across Israel and drew criticism from some foreign states, including close allies like the United States.
On Monday, however, Netanyahu announced that the government would take “free time” on the proposal until the next Knesset session, hoping the extra time would help lawmakers “reach an agreement on the legislation.” Nevertheless, the decision failed to stop critics of the reform.
Speaking to reporters earlier on Tuesday, Biden was asked to comment on the legal change, saying he hoped Netanyahu “get away” of the plan before it is enacted into law, adding “They can’t continue down this path.”
“Like many staunch supporters of Israel, I am very worried, and I fear that they understand this,” he added. He continued. “I hope the Prime Minister will act in a way that tries to find a real compromise. But that remains to be seen.”
The president also noted that Netanyahu would not be invited to visit the White House. “Short term,” despite his recent re-election as prime minister – his third term in office.
As the White House appears to be stepping up its criticism of Israeli policies, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is preparing for a trip to Jerusalem next month, where he will deliver a keynote address at an event by the Jerusalem Post and the Museum of Tolerance. Although DeSantis has yet to make an official announcement for a 2024 presidential bid, he is widely seen as a potential frontrunner among potential Republican candidates and has become popular among conservatives due to his vocal opposition to terms. of Covid-19.
The governor’s office took advantage of the feud between Biden and Netanyahu before his visit, saying that “Florida serves as a bridge between the American and Israeli peoples” at a time of “Unnecessarily strained relations” between Israel and the United States.