Netanyahu Presses Ahead With Judicial Reform - Risks Fracture With US

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will today press ahead with his controversial judicial reform plan, despite opposition from foreign leaders and widespread protests. The vote is expected to take place early afternoon, local time.

• US President Joe Biden, told Walla yesterday: “It seems that the bill being discussed as part of the legal reform only widens the divisions in Israel, not reduce them. Given the scope of the threats and challenges Israel faces, it does not make sense for Israel’s leaders to rush forward with this."
• Biden's comments are his most explicit opposition to the reform, after months of hints that Israel should refrain from pursuing measures that undermine Democracy and an uncharacteristically frosty relationship with the Netanyahu administration.
• Uncertainty has also been amplified by news that Netanyahu had a pacemaker installed yesterday for a previously undisclosed heart condition. He has been discharged from hospital but questions on his health are likely to persist.
• President Isaac Herzog said in a statement this morning: “There is a possible infrastructure for a compromise, but there are still gaps that require the various parties to show responsibility.”