The United States President Joe Biden has called on Israel to halt its controversial judicial reforms that have caused months of unrest, which opponents accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of riding roughshod over Israeli democracy to strengthen his power.
Biden’s comments were made as tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across Israel in a spontaneous outburst of anger after Netanyahu fired his defense minister for challenging his judicial overhaul plan. In response, Netanyahu defended Israel’s sovereignty and said the reforms were being made through broad consensus.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also called on the ruling coalition to halt the change plan for the sake of unity and responsibility.
In a public statement issued on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden urged Israel to halt its proposed judicial reforms, citing concerns regarding the country’s commitment to democratic values.
The proposed reforms have sparked nationwide protests in Israel, with citizens and activists expressing concerns that they would undermine the independence of the judiciary and erode democratic norms. Critics claim that the reforms would give the government greater control over the appointment of judges, and could even lead to the removal of sitting judges who do not align with the government’s political views.
Biden’s statement comes amid growing international pressure on Israel to reconsider the proposed reforms. The European Union has also expressed concerns over the potential impact on democratic norms and the independence of the judiciary.
In his statement, Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining democratic values and institutions, stating that “the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary are foundational elements of our democratic systems and must be protected.” He also called on Israel to engage in dialogue with its citizens and civil society groups to address their concerns.
The proposed judicial reforms have been a contentious issue in Israeli politics for some time, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government pushing for the changes. However, opposition parties and civil society groups have been vocal in their opposition, staging protests and advocating for greater transparency and accountability in the appointment and dismissal of judges.
As Israel continues to grapple with these issues, the international community will be closely watching developments to ensure that democratic norms and values are upheld.
Source: Aljazeera
