After three months of uninterrupted popular protest in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu finally gave in to street pressure and suspended his disputed project. And that's what worries the president...Israel: Justice reform project has cast a chill on relations with the United States The justice reform project, eventually suspended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has cast a chill on relations between Israel and the United States. REUTERS - Ronen Zvulun Text by: RFI Follow 2 min After three months of uninterrupted popular protest in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu finally gave in to str

Israel: Justice reform project has cast a chill on relations with the United States

The justice reform project, eventually suspended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has cast a chill on relations between Israel and the United States. REUTERS - Ronen Zvulun

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

After three months of uninterrupted popular protest in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu finally gave in to street pressure and suspended his disputed project. And this is what worries US President Joe Biden, who would have preferred a definitive withdrawal of the decried text, rather than a simple suspension. The Israeli prime minister asks his closest ally not to interfere in the affairs of the Jewish state.

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With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Sami Boukhelifa

The tone is cordial, but firm. In a series of tweets in English and Hebrew, the Israeli prime minister reframes the US president. "With Joe Biden," he wrote, "we share 40 years of friendship, and our alliance with the United States is unwavering. But any foreign pressure, including from friendly countries, is unacceptable.

Israel is a sovereign country which makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressures from abroad, including from the best of friends.

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 28, 2023

This reaction of the Israeli Prime Minister comes following a statement to the press by the American President. Facing the camera, Joe Biden said he was "deeply concerned about the situation in Israel, and stressed the need for compromise".

► READ ALSO: Reform of justice in Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu announces a "pause"

This concern, now displayed at the top of the state in Washington, has been reiterated for months by various American officials, including Ambassador Tom Nides, posted here in Jerusalem.

Epidermal reactions of the Jewish state

But each time, American fears about justice reform provoke epidermal reactions from the Israeli government. "Mind your own business," an Israeli minister said a few weeks ago.

Faced with this situation, Washington, which has always supported its Israeli ally against all odds, finds itself in a delicate position. There is no question of going beyond verbal pressure. The military, financial and diplomatic support of the Jewish state is not in question. But Benjamin Netanyahu is no longer welcome in Washington. "There are no short-term invitations," Biden said.

► Read also: "A threat to democracy": in Israel, the population mobilized against the reform of the justice system

Israel: Justice reform project has cast a chill on relations with the United States

Israel: Justice reform project has cast a chill on relations with the United States

Epidermal reactions of the Jewish state

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