US calls Israeli judicial overhaul vote ‘unfortunate’

The Israeli parliament’s vote stripping the Supreme Court of certain powers is “unfortunate,” the White House says, calling for “consensus” amid major protests.

“As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major democratic changes to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said following Monday’s vote.

“It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority,” she said. “We understand talks are ongoing and likely to continue over the coming weeks and months to forge a broader compromise even with the Knesset in recess. The United States will continue to support the efforts of President Herzog and other Israeli leaders as they seek to build a broader consensus through political dialogue.”

Israel’s parliament on Monday passed the controversial “reasonableness” bill, the first major legislation in the government’s plan to weaken the judiciary, despite six months of protests over the most significant shakeup to the court system since the country’s founding. The bill passed by a vote of 64-0, with all members of the governing coalition voting for it. All members of the opposition left the chamber while the roll call vote was taking place.

Ahead of the vote, Biden warned Israel’s government against moving ahead with its controversial judicial overhaul.

“Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesn’t make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this – the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus,” Biden said Sunday in a statement provided to CNN.

Biden has been unusually outspoken about the judicial overhaul proposal, suggesting it amounts to an erosion of democratic institutions and could undermine US-Israel relations.
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