Biden calls on Netanyahu to compromise on judicial reform

US President Joe Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to compromise on the controversial judicial reform and has offered his help. Democratic principles are and should always be the hallmark of US-Israeli relations, Biden said in a phone call with Netanyahu on Sunday, according to the White House.

Fundamental changes need the broadest possible social support. The president offered his support in continuing efforts to reach a compromise on the proposed judicial reform, he said.

Netanyahu’s office said the Prime Minister had assured Biden that Israel was and will remain a strong and vibrant democracy.

For more than two months, there have been loud protests in Israel against the law proposed by the local government. In the future, parliament should be able to overturn Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority. Politicians should be given significantly more influence in the appointment of judges.

Critics see the separation of powers in danger and warn of a dangerous state crisis. Netanyahu’s coalition aims to push through the core elements of the reform by the end of the month. (aeg/sda/dpa)