Scoop: Biden tells Bibi he’s never seen such anxiety over Israel’s political situation – By Barak Ravid (Axios) / Mar 20 2023
President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their call on Sunday that he was concerned about the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul plan because in all the years he has followed Israel, he has never seen such a high level of domestic anxiety over the political situation in the country, two U.S. sources briefed on the call told Axios.
Why it matters: Sunday’s call was the first time Biden directly discussed the controversial judicial overhaul plan with Netanyahu. It is rare that a U.S. president weighs in on domestic issues of one of the country’s closest allies.
- The judicial overhaul plan, presented by the most right-wing government in Israel’s history, has deepened political divisions in Israel and prompted protests, including within the ranks of the Israeli military, against Netanyahu’s government.
- The Biden administration has expressed concerns over what the plan will mean for Israel’s democracy.
CONTINUE > https://www.axios.com/2023/03/20/biden-netanyahu-phone-call-judicial-overhaul-anxiety
