Biden says Netanyahu not welcome at White House in ‘near term’
Christian Datoc
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President Joe Biden briefly addressed the situation in Israel on Tuesday, telling reporters he has no imminent plans to invite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House following his attempts to reform the country’s judicial system.
Biden previously had expressed his displeasure to Netanyahu last week about the proposed reforms, and thousands of Israelis protested in the streets Sunday night after former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant was removed from his post once he spoke out against Netanyahu.
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Following the blowback, Netanyahu announced a pause in his proposed reforms on Monday.
The president, speaking to reporters on the tarmac in North Carolina on Tuesday, said he remained hopeful Israeli politicians could find a compromise on the situation but did not want to involve the United States with domestic Israeli politics.
Biden added flatly that he had no plans to invite Netanyahu to the White House in the “near term.”
“We welcome this announcement as an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise. A compromise is precisely what we have been calling for,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at Monday’s briefing regarding Netanyahu’s decision. “We continue to strongly urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible. We believe that it is the best path forward for Israel and all of its citizens to find this compromise.”
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“Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances,” she continued. “Fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support, and so that’s what we’re going to continue to call for.”
Israel and Netanyahu are still slated to take part in Biden’s Democracy Summit later this week.