Undesirable: Biden does not want Netanyahu in the White House “for the foreseeable future”.

When asked if he would invite Netanyahu to the White House, Biden told reporters on Tuesday, “Not anytime soon.” Biden criticized the controversial judicial reform, which Netanyahu suspended implementation on Monday following mass protests. A staunch supporter of Israel, he was concerned, the US president said when asked about the state of democracy in the country.

Biden later added that he hoped Netanyahu would abandon judicial reform plans. Netanyahu responded on Twitter that he appreciated Biden’s support. But Israel is a sovereign country that does not make decisions under pressure from abroad, “not even from best friends”.

US Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides had previously announced that Netanyahu would soon be invited to the White House in Washington. “I think he will be invited to Passover,” Nides told Israeli army radio on Tuesday. The Jewish Passover begins next Wednesday and lasts for a week. “There is no question that the Prime Minister will come and meet President Biden,” Nides said.

Traditionally, Israeli heads of government also visit the United States, so there is a good chance that such a visit will “one day”, but there are currently no plans for that, a White House spokeswoman said afterwards.

Since taking office in November, Netanyahu has already visited several European countries, including Germany, as well as neighboring Jordan. So far there has been no invitation from the US, traditionally its closest ally. Observers take this as a sign that Biden is not happy with the policies of the right-wing religious government. (sda/dpa)