WASHINGTON: US Vice President Kamala Harris has said that Israel’s democracy requires an “independent judiciary,” as she entered the contentious debate surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial overhaul, which has sparked mass protests in Israel.
Speaking at a reception celebrating Israel’s 75th anniversary hosted by the country’s embassy in Washington, Harris emphasized the importance of strong institutions, checks and balances, and specifically highlighted the significance of an independent judiciary.
However, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen responded by suggesting that Harris may not have been fully informed about the details of the proposed judicial changes. Cohen stated that the reforms were intended to ensure a strong and balanced judiciary, but he doubted Harris’s familiarity with the specific clauses of the bill.
Netanyahu’s proposed package of Supreme Court reforms has triggered weeks of unprecedented street demonstrations. Members of his religious-nationalist coalition accuse the court of overreach and elitism.
Independence of Judiciary Under Threat in Israel
However, critics argue that the proposed changes threaten the independence of the judiciary, especially considering Netanyahu’s ongoing trial on corruption charges, which he denies. Prominent economists and national security experts have warned that an independent court system is crucial to preserving Israel’s democratic norms and economic strength.
Under pressure both domestically and internationally, including from US President Joe Biden’s administration, Netanyahu has suspended the overhaul in an attempt to negotiate a consensus with the political opposition. The strained relationship between Biden and Netanyahu has been evident since Biden took office, with the US president urging Netanyahu to abandon the judicial overhaul plan.
In his video address to the reception attendees, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced plans to visit the White House and address a joint session of the US Congress in the near future, with the trip expected to take place in July. Notably, Biden has yet to extend a White House invitation to Netanyahu, despite Israel’s status as a key Middle East ally.
