Writer Thomas Friedman confirmed that Israeli-American bilateral relations are "in a completely new world" after the Israeli authorities forgave the common values they share with the United States by insisting on harming the judicial institution.
Friedman explained - in an article published by the New York Times - that President Joe Biden's comment on what is happening inside Israel is a message to Tel Aviv that the relationship between the two countries was never built on "common interests", but on "common values", so the relationship continued strong for a long time. Because the differences remained within the limits of interests, and did not transcend them at all to values, including respect for institutions.
Regarding the writer’s question about developments inside Israel, the answer came from Biden in a few words: “The genius of the American and Israeli democracies is that they are built on strong institutions, checks and balances, and an independent judiciary. Building a consensus on fundamental changes is very important to ensure that people are convinced of them so that they can be sustainable.” .
real concern
The article emphasized that Biden is one of the most supportive US presidents for Israel, so his comment reveals a real concern about a radical change affecting the Israeli judicial system that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies are trying to impose, and if that happens, it will cause serious damage to Israeli democracy, which will damage its relationship with Western democracies, according to the same source. writer's expression.
According to the American writer, Netanyahu finds himself - after Biden's words - in an embarrassing situation, as if he continues on his path to bring about a "coup in the judiciary" as described by his opponents, this means that he ignores the opinion of the American ally, and that "is not an easy matter."
He made it clear that Biden - with his comment - places the United States behind Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who called for an internal consensus to protect "Israeli democracy", as well as behind former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who was the first Israeli attorney general to indict a sitting prime minister.
total change
The writer quoted Mandelblit as saying - in a statement to Israeli television - that the comprehensive amendments that Netanyahu proposed to introduce to the judicial system are not reforms, but rather a "change of the entire system", adding that the only guarantee for the separation of powers inside Israel has always been the judiciary, given that the government usually control the work of the Knesset.
According to him, among the important changes that Netanyahu wants to impose: enabling the government to choose judges, dismissing independent legal advisors, as well as enabling the Knesset to override Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority.
to reject
In recent weeks, tens of thousands of Israelis have been protesting to denounce the Netanyahu government's judicial reform plans, which critics say undermine judicial oversight of ministers.
The demonstrators belonging to left-wing movements and parties fear that the new ruling combination will overthrow the judicial system, and that it seeks to end Israel as a democratic state, in their opinion.
The Israeli public prosecutor also announced, at the beginning of this month, that the prime minister should move away from his government's efforts to introduce changes to the country's judicial system.
Israeli Prosecutor Ghali Bahrav Mayara said - in a statement - that Netanyahu may face a conflict of interest, citing his trial in corruption cases.
Mayara added that the government's proposed amendments to the judicial system "harm the democratic balance" in Israel.