“As soon as possible.” Washington renews its call on Israel to settle the file of judicial amendments

The United States renewed its call on Israel to reach "as soon as possible" a settlement on the crisis of judicial reform. For the past 12 weeks, tens of thousands of Israelis have demonstrated against the judicial reform plan, which includes amendments that limit the powers of the Supreme Court and give the government the power to appoint judges.

On Wednesday, the United States renewed its call on Israel to reach "as soon as possible" a settlement and consensus on the "judicial reform" crisis.

The White House National Security Council communications coordinator, John Kirby, said in a press briefing that the United States "wants to see Israel make decisions that will maintain consensus and achieve broad public support."

He stressed that Washington urges Israel to reach a settlement "as soon as possible."

On Monday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, in the wake of mass demonstrations and widespread strikes, that he had suspended the adoption of "judicial reform" laws to make room for dialogue with the opposition, but he said that he "will not give them up."

The "Judicial Reform" plan was scheduled to be passed during the Knesset's winter session, which ends next April 2, but after Netanyahu's decision, its discussion was postponed to the summer session, which begins on the 30th of the same month and lasts for 3 months, according to the Knesset website.

However, Netanyahu's decision to delay passing the laws did not convince all opposition parties and organizations, as 34 protest organizations questioned his intentions and said that they would continue to protest throughout the country.

For 12 weeks, tens of thousands of Israelis have demonstrated against the "judicial reform" plan supported by the Netanyahu government, which includes amendments that limit the powers of the Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority) and give the government the power to appoint judges.

Biden sends a "warning bell" to the government of Israel and Netanyahu: We do not succumb to pressure from outside

Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned against destroying relations with Washington, after Biden sharply criticized the Israeli government. On the other hand, Netanyahu stressed that his government will not submit to pressure from outside in making its decisions.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, head of the "official camp" coalition, said on Tuesday evening that US President Joe Biden had sent an "urgent warning bell" to the Israeli government.

This came against the backdrop of statements made by the US President on Tuesday, in which he criticized the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu over the "judicial reform" plan and the massive protests against it.

"President Biden sent an urgent wake-up call to the Israeli government tonight," Gantz said in a tweet on his Twitter account.

"Destroying relations with the United States, our best friend and most important ally, is a strategic attack," he added.

He continued, "Netanyahu must direct his negotiating teams regarding legal legislation, to move quickly to rectify the situation and preserve Israeli democracy, which is the basis of these values."

Gantz called on Netanyahu to announce the reinstatement of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to his post.

And Sunday, Netanyahu sacked Galant, a day after the latter called on the government to halt the controversial Judicial Reforms Law. On Tuesday, the private Israeli Channel 13 said, quoting unnamed officials, that the Biden administration described the move as "disturbing and disturbing."

We do not succumb to outside pressure.

In a related context, Netanyahu issued a statement to respond to Biden. In it, he said, "Israel is a sovereign state that makes its decisions according to the will of its people and not based on pressure from outside, including its best friends."

He added that his government is striving to carry out reforms "through broad consensus."

He continued, "I have known President Biden for more than 40 years and appreciate his unwavering commitment to Israel."

He said that the Israeli-American alliance against breaking "always transcends the fleeting differences between us."

He emphasized that his government "is committed to strengthening democracy by restoring an appropriate balance between the three branches of government, which we strive to achieve through broad consensus."

In turn, Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar of Netanyahu's Likud party said in a tweet: "It is unfortunate that President Biden has also fallen victim to false news spread in the country against the justified legal reform we are doing."

Later, Zohar deleted his words, and said on Twitter: "Out of respect for our important relationship with our greatest ally, the United States, I deleted the tweet."

Earlier Tuesday, the US president said: "Like many of Israel's biggest supporters, I am deeply concerned. Israel cannot continue down this path and I've made that point."

Biden added that he does not intend to invite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington in the near future.

Earlier tonight, the first negotiating meeting between the government coalition and the Israeli opposition, in the presence of representatives of the "Likud" and the "There is a Future" party led by opposition leader Yair Lapid and the "official camp" led by Gantz, ended at the home of President Isaac Herzog, without announcing that a settlement had been reached. Judicial reform plan.

On Monday evening, in the wake of mass demonstrations and widespread strikes, Netanyahu announced the suspension of the adoption of "judicial reform" laws to make way for dialogue with the opposition, but he said he "will not give them up."

The "Judicial Reform" plan was to be passed during the Knesset's winter session, which ends next April 2, but after Netanyahu's decision, its discussion was postponed to the summer session, which begins on the 30th of the same month and lasts for 3 months, according to the Knesset website.

For the past 12 weeks, tens of thousands of Israelis have been demonstrating against the "judicial reform" plan supported by the Netanyahu government, which includes amendments that limit the powers of the Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority) and give the government the power to appoint judges.