President Joe Biden has reportedly voiced his concerns over the proposed judicial reform in Israel, expressing apprehension about its potential ramifications. In an appeal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the U.S. president urged a halt to the proposed vote on the controversial bill in the Israeli Knesset, according to Axios.
Asserting his anxiety over the unfolding situation, President Biden communicated his belief that the ongoing judicial reform dispute has stoked increased discord rather than mitigating it. The U.S. leader has consequently suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu concentrate on fostering unity and consensus amid the existing threats and challenges confronting Israel.
Last week, in a telephonic discussion with Netanyahu, Biden recommended that the Israeli leader endeavor to amass wide-ranging consensus on the proposed judiciary overhaul law. According to insiders privy to the conversation, the U.S. president expressed that he wasn’t alone in his concerns regarding the potential path Israel might embark upon under Netanyahu’s leadership.
Compounding the issue, thousands of Israeli reservists, encompassing fighter pilots, and members from the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) intelligence, cybersecurity, and special operations units, previously declared their intent to forgo their positions if the contentious judicial reform legislation receives approval in the Knesset. The decisive vote is slated for Monday.
In the U.S., concerns extend beyond the geopolitical implications, with the Pentagon voicing unease about the potential impact on Israel’s deterrence strategy. The fear is that the crisis engulfing the Israeli military might embolden adversaries like Iran or Hezbollah to instigate military provocations, thereby heightening tensions in an already volatile region.
The potential fallout from a crisis within the Israeli air force could extend further, with potential adverse operational implications for U.S. forces that maintain close collaborations with Israel in the region.
The controversial bill, which proposes to curtail the power of the country’s Supreme Court in reviewing the government’s actions, has been the focal point of ongoing protests in Israel since January. The proposed legislation has sparked a fierce debate on the preservation of democratic checks and balances in the nation.
