White House: U.S. remains concerned about situation in Israel

The United States remains concerned about the situation in Israel and President Joe Biden has shared his concerns about a proposed judicial overhaul directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said on Monday. "We remain concerned by the recent developments," White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, calling for compromise.

The United States remains concerned about the situation in Israel and President Joe Biden has shared his concerns about a proposed judicial overhaul directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said on Monday.

"We remain concerned by the recent developments," White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, calling for compromise. Netanyahu on Monday delayed a decision on bitterly contested plans for a judicial overhaul until next month amid fears that the country's worst national crisis in years could fracture his coalition or escalate into violence.

Kirby declined to comment specifically on the delay. "We're watching this as closely as we can," Kirby said. "We've been very clear privately, of course, with Israeli leaders as well as publicly about our concerns ... over developments here in the last 48 hours and again, strongly urge Israeli leaders to compromise."

Kirby noted that Israel had been invited to a U.S.-organized Summit for Democracy later this week. Kirby said Biden has been "very forthright" with Netanyahu about his concerns. Asked if Biden was worried that Israel would devolve into civil war, Kirby said he was not.

He said U.S. concerns about the judicial reform legislation were that it would "fly in the face" of the principle of having checks and balances in government. "All of that concern comes from ... a place of respect and friendship and admiration for the Israeli people, for Israel as a country and for Israel's democracy," Kirby said.

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