Israel Today reported that an agreement has been reached to reverse the decision to dismiss Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, provided that he apologizes for his remarks calling for a freeze on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial amendments.
The newspaper added that Gallant agreed to apologize for the timing of the remarks, not for their content.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to dismiss his defense minister was the event that triggered the crisis in the Israeli political scene, as the demonstrations expanded and vital sectors entered a general strike to protest the draft judicial amendments that limit the powers of the Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority) and give the government the power to appoint judges.
This comes as tension continues in US-Israeli relations due to the Israeli government's attempts to pass judicial amendments, as the US Department of Defense spokesman expressed the Pentagon's concern about developments in Israel, stressing that President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin are urging leaders in Israel to find a settlement to reduce escalation and restore calm.
Israeli press sources reported that Foreign Minister Eli Cohen will hold a telephone conversation tonight with his US counterpart Antony Blinken, after his call last night with US Senator Lindsey Graham.
Sources close to Netanyahu said that the message Israel wants to send through this movement is that dialogue between the two sides exists, but the ruling coalition is committed to passing judicial amendments.
Meanwhile, the Israeli foreign minister praised the depth and excellence of relations between Tel Aviv and Washington, saying in a tweet that the United States is Israel's greatest ally, and that the relationship between the two countries is close and warm.
Biden and Netanyahu
Biden on Tuesday commented on unprecedented protests in Israel against the Netanyahu government's plan to overhaul the justice system, telling reporters that Israel "cannot continue down this path."
Biden called on Netanyahu to reach a real settlement, abandon the draft judicial amendments, and find a solution to "the difficult situation that the state is experiencing," as he described it.
Asked if he would invite Netanyahu to the White House, Biden said: "No, not in the near term."
Biden's statement came despite US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nieds saying he was optimistic that Netanyahu might be invited to the White House soon, after he entered into compromise talks on judicial amendments.
Netanyahu decided on Monday to suspend the draft judicial amendments, to allow negotiations with opposition parties.