Senior US officials have advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to visit Washington for the time being, Army Radio reported, arguing that President Joe Biden will not avoid public criticism of the Israeli government during the visit.
Despite the formation of the Israeli government about 3 months ago, Biden has not yet invited its President Netanyahu to meet him at the White House.
U.S. presidents are usually quick to invite Israeli prime ministers to visit the White House soon after they form their governments.
Biden has spoken by phone with Netanyahu more than once recently, most recently on Sunday evening.
פרסום ראשון | בכירים אמריקנים לרה"מ @netanyahu: מוטב שלא תגיע לביקור מדיני בוושינגטון בתקופה הזאת, הסיבה – הנשיא ביידן לא יחסוך ביקורת פומבית כלפי ממשלת ישראל במהלך הביקור • כתבנו המדיני @yanircozin הביא את הפרטים אצל @efitriger >> https://t.co/n1oJa7elwv pic.twitter.com/EWFdM6Yoxn
— גלצ (@GLZRadio) March 21, 2023
"Against the backdrop of not inviting the prime minister to the White House, senior administration officials conveyed a message to Netanyahu that it is better not to come to Washington at this time," Army Radio said on Tuesday.
The letter, according to unnamed U.S. officials, stated that "as long as legal reform legislation continues at its current pace, President Biden will not spare you public criticism in the White House."
The White House said in a statement after Biden's call with Netanyahu on Sunday that Biden stressed "his firm belief that democratic values have been and should remain a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship."
President Biden has offered to support efforts to compromise on proposed judicial reforms, the statement said.
Neither the Israeli prime minister's office nor the White House immediately commented on the news.