Biden, Herzog discuss tensions over judicial shake-up
Washington, United States (AFP):
Joe Biden and his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog discussed tensions over a controversial judicial shake-up in Israel.
Earlier this month, Biden told CNN in an interview that Netanyahu presides over “one of the most extremist… cabinets that I’ve seen.”
Biden hosted Herzog in the Oval Office at the White House, telling him, “You know my love for Israel is deep-rooted and long-lasting.”
But the warm greeting did not mask a split over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial push to reform the court system in order to facilitate the expansion of Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
President Isaac Herzog, who has a mostly ceremonial role in Israel, was quick to address the judicial reforms controversy, which has sparked massive street protests by opponents accusing Netanyahu of mounting a power grab.
“It’s a heated debate but it is also a virtue and a tribute to the greatness of Israeli democracy,” he told Biden. “Let me reiterate, clear — crystal clear — that Israeli democracy is sound, strong and resilient.”
In opening remarks, Biden flagged Washington’s determination to prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon and also discussed regional diplomatic thaws that have seen Israel and Arab countries expanding ties.
However, clouding Herzog’s presence was the shadow of the leader with the real power in Israel — Netanyahu.
Relations between Netanyahu and the Biden administration have been rocky ever since he made his political comeback at the head of a coalition of hardline Zionist rightwingers and ultra-Orthodox parties in December.
According to official sources in the US, Biden has “expressed concern about continued Jewish settlement growth” and “stressed the need to take measures to maintain the viability” of a future Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Regarding the judicial reforms, Biden reiterated that “shared democratic values have always been and must remain a hallmark of the US-Israel relationship,” the sources stated.
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