Current:Home > ScamsNetanyahu says Israel won't bend to "pressures" after Biden suggests he abandon controversial judicial overhaul-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Netanyahu says Israel won't bend to "pressures" after Biden suggests he abandon controversial judicial overhaul
View Date:2025-01-14 20:34:24
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded Tuesday to a suggestion from President Biden that his government "walks away" from controversial judicial overhaul plans, which have drawn an unprecedented backlash within Israel, by saying the country makes its own decisions.
"Israel is a sovereign country which makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressures from abroad, including from the best of friends," Netanyahu tweeted. He later called Israel's alliance with the U.S. "unshakeable."
On Tuesday, Mr. Biden said he was "concerned" about the situation in Israel, where protests against the proposed judicial overhaul escalated this week. Critics say the changes planned by Netanyahu's far-right coalition government would undermine the independence of Israel's supreme court and destroy the country's system of legislative checks and balances.
- What's behind the escalating strikes, protests and violence in Israel?
"Like many strong supporters of Israel, I'm very concerned, and I'm concerned that they get this straight," Mr. Biden told journalists. "They cannot continue down this road, and I've sort of made that clear. Hopefully the prime minister will act in a way that he can try to work out some genuine compromise, but that remains to be seen."
When asked about reports that he would soon be inviting Netanyahu to the White House, Mr. Biden said, "No. Not in the near term."
Later Tuesday, the U.S. president said he hopes Netanyahu "walks away" from the judicial overhaul legislation.
The atypically terse exchange between the leaders of the U.S. and Israel came just a day after some of the biggest protests in Israel's history. Thousands took to the streets, furious over Netanyahu's weekend decision to fire his defense chief over comments suggesting, as Mr. Biden did later, that the judiciary reforms should be shelved.
Facing not only the street protests, but a massive national labor strike over the move, Netanyahu backed down Monday night and announced a delay of the process to enact the legislation.
In a televised address, the Israeli leader said he was "not willing to tear the nation in half," and that, "when there's a possibility of avoiding fraternal war through dialogue, I, as prime minister, will take a time out for that dialogue."
Netanyahu made it clear Tuesday, however, that his government was delaying the judicial overhaul, not abandoning it.
"My administration is committed to strengthening democracy by restoring the proper balance between the three branches of government, which we are striving to achieve via a broad consensus," he tweeted.
- In:
- Democracy
- Israel
- Joe Biden
- Middle East
- Benjamin Netanyahu
Haley Ott is an international reporter for CBS News based in London.
TwitterveryGood! (285)
Related
- Michael Grimm, former House member convicted of tax fraud, is paralyzed in fall from horse
- When does Simone Biles compete next? Olympic gymnastics event finals on tap in Paris
- Imane Khelif, ensnared in Olympic boxing controversy, had to hide soccer training
- Surviving the inferno: How the Maui fire reshaped one family's story
- Outgoing North Carolina governor grants 2 pardons, 6 commutations
- When does Katie Ledecky swim today? Paris Olympics swimming schedule for 800 freestyle
- Only one thing has slowed golf's Xander Schauffele at Paris Olympics: Ants
- US equestrian jumping team made last-minute lineup change, and won Olympic silver — again
- Massachusetts lawmakers to consider a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution
- Who were the Russian prisoners released in swap for Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich?
Ranking
- Lost luggage? This new Apple feature will let you tell the airline exactly where it is.
- Surviving the inferno: How the Maui fire reshaped one family's story
- What are maternity homes? Their legacy is checkered
- 2024 Olympics: Skateboarder Sky Brown Still Competing With Dislocated Shoulder
- Auburn surges, while Kansas remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
- Italian boxer expresses regret for not shaking Imane Khelif's hand after their Olympic bout
- Police investigating hate speech targeting Olympics opening ceremony artistic director Thomas Jolly
- Surfer Carissa Moore says she has no regrets about Olympic plan that ends without medal
Recommendation
-
Why Jersey Shore's Jenni JWoww Farley May Not Marry Her Fiancé Zack Clayton
-
For Marine Species Across New York Harbor, the Oyster Is Their World
-
Harvard appoints Alan Garber as president through 2026-27 academic year
-
Judge suspends Justin Timberlake’s driver’s license over DWI arrest in New York
-
Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday light display in Manhattan changing up this season
-
Memphis, Tennessee, officer, motorist killed in car crash; 2nd officer critical
-
Appeals court: Separate, distinct minority groups can’t join together to claim vote dilution
-
Simone Biles wins gold, pulls out GOAT necklace with 546 diamonds in it