Biden calls on Israel’s Netanyahu to express ‘concern’ over court plan

The White House in a statement added that Biden “underscored his belief that democratic values ​​have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of U.S.-Israeli relations, that democratic societies are strengthened by effective checks and balances, and that fundamental changes must be pursued”. with the widest possible popular base of support.

“The President offered his support for the ongoing efforts to find a compromise on the proposed judicial reforms in accordance with these fundamental principles,” the statement said.

Netanyahu said Sunday that the legal changes would be made responsibly while protecting the basic rights of all Israelis. His government – the most right-wing in the country ever – says the overhaul aims to correct an imbalance that has given too much power to the courts and prevented lawmakers from carrying out the will of voters.

Critics say it will upset Israel’s delicate system of checks and balances and slide the country toward authoritarianism. Opponents of the measure staged disruptive protests and even embroiled the country’s military, after more than 700 elite officers from the air force, special forces and Mossad said they would stop to volunteer for service.

The conversation followed a Sunday meeting in Egypt between Israeli and Palestinian officials in which they pledged to take steps to reduce tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday period. Administration officials hailed the outcome of the summit in Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. A joint statement said the parties reaffirmed their commitment to defusing and preventing further violence.

Biden in the call “reinforced the need for all parties to take urgent and collaborative action to strengthen security coordination, condemn all acts of terrorism, and maintain the viability of a two-state solution,” according to the statement. White House.

The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met for the second time in less than a month, hosted by their regional allies Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United States, to end a spasm of violence in ‘a year.