Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu Engage in Open Feud Over Proposed Judicial Overhaul in Israel

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden made an unusually stinging rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial overhaul, which has been met with mass protests and strikes in Israel. Biden suggested that Netanyahu should “walk away” from the proposal, and warned that Israel “cannot continue down this road.”

Netanyahu responded to Biden’s comments, rejecting what he called “pressure” from the White House. He also said that he will not be invited to the White House “in the near term.”

The public dispute between the two leaders has sparked a political firestorm in Israel, with opposition leaders seizing on the open feud as a sign that the now-paused reforms threatened the country’s crucial friendship with the US. Biden reiterated his concerns on Wednesday, saying, “Like many strong supporters of Israel I’m very concerned. I’ve sort of made that clear.”

The proposed judicial overhaul has been met with widespread criticism from both sides of the political spectrum in Israel. The plan would have allowed Netanyahu to appoint more judges to the Supreme Court and give him more control over the judiciary. Critics of the plan have argued that it would undermine the independence of the court and weaken the rule of law.

The dispute between the US and Israel has raised questions about the future of the two countries’ relationship. It remains to be seen how the two leaders will resolve the issue and whether the proposed judicial overhaul will be implemented.