Biden reiterates to Netanyahu his concern about reforms and policies in Israel but invites him to Washington

The president of USA, Joe Bidenreiterated this Monday to the Prime Minister Israeli, Benjamin Netanyahuhis concern about the reforms that the Government of that country is promoting, such as the judicial one.

White House Homeland Security spokesman John Kirbytransmitted the content of that conversation to the press and confirmed the Biden’s invitation to Netanyahu to visit Washingtonsomething that is expected to occur in the fall.

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As the Israeli government stressed, Kirby said that the conversation between the two was cordial, but he also warned that “friends should talk to each other honestly” and that is why Biden conveyed to Netanyahu the concerns that “still haveabout his government.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech at the Palmachim airbase near the city of Rishon LeZion on July 5, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)

Concerns such as judicial reform and “extremist activities” by members of Netanyahu’s cabinet or judicial reform.

He added that both leaders have known each other since “a long time ago” and understand the usefulness of this “dialogue”, and insisted that despite these disagreements Biden stressed to Netanyahu the US commitment to the security of Israel.

On the other hand, Kirby downplayed the fact that the call took so long to come through.

He assured that both had in their agendas the need to have this conversation, but he justified his delay due to the trips and the tasks of both.

The call comes just one day before the visit of the president of Israel, isaac herzogto Washington, and at a very tense moment in bilateral relations.

The relationship between USA and Israel is going through one of its worst crises, according to analysts and diplomats, since Netanyahu returned to power in December supported by ultra-Orthodox and far-right partners, the government “most extremist in the history of Israel”, according to Biden’s words.

The US Executive has not hidden its concern in recent months about judicial reform in Israel, seen as a threat to democracy, and the spiral of violence with the Palestinians, as well as the expansion of settlements in occupied west bank.

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According to the Israeli government statement, both leaders “they had a warm and long conversation” whose focus was “the strengthening of the strong alliance between the countries; stop threats from Iran and expand the circle of regional peace; as well as the continuation of the efforts for calm and stability in Judea and Samaria (West Bank)”.

For his part, Kirby cited the “invulnerable“US commitment to Israeli security or US condemnation of it”terrorist acts against Israeli citizens”.

But he also stressed that Biden expressed to Netanyahu the need to take measures aimed at making viable the two-state solution that the US defends in the conflict between Israel and Palestine and called on both sides to refrain from taking unilateral actions.

Source: Elcomercio