friendship test

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Protests against Israel’s planned judicial reforms are raising fears about the end of the last democracy in the Middle East. Even US President Joe Biden (80) meddles in Israeli internal affairs.

Biden announced on Wednesday evening that he does not intend to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (73) to Washington. A statement with a signal effect.

As a staunch supporter of Israel, he was concerned, Biden said. “You won’t get any further that way.” Biden later added that he hoped Netanyahu would abandon judicial reform plans. Netanyahu responded on Twitter that he appreciates Biden’s support. But Israel is a sovereign country that does not make decisions under pressure from abroad, “not even from best friends”.

It was an awkward conversation between old friends. A conversation that showed how serious these legal reforms can be for Israel’s international status. The United States is considered Israel’s main ally. But since Netanyahu returned to power with his new, radical government, relations with the White House have been crumbling.

US support for Israel could wane

A commentator from the news site “ynet” compared Biden’s words to a bomb “which for Netanyahu is politically comparable to Hiroshima”. Does this mean the end of good US-Israeli relations? Jonathan Rynhold (54) is a professor and head of the Political Department at Israel’s Bar Ilan University. In an interview with Blick, he explains, “What’s happening right now raises a lot of questions about US support for Israel.”

According to Rynhold, Israel’s almost unconditional support is based on three pillars: Israel is the most powerful, most stable and most democratic country in the Middle East. The latter point in particular ensures the country has the support of the US government. “If the judicial reforms are implemented and Israel’s democracy is undermined, the most important of the three factors will disappear.” And so probably some of the support from the US.

A complete break between the two countries is unlikely. Biden’s words should be taken as a warning shot. On the one hand, according to Rynhold, as “the most stable country” in the Middle East, Israel is too important to the US security effort. US military support enables Israel to fight back against Iran and the threat of Islamist radicalism. Two things that give Biden sleepless nights.

On the other hand, a lack of military and diplomatic support from America would mean the end of Israel as we know it. “Any sign that the protective hand of the US is withdrawing from Israel could destabilize the situation in the region.” That would be neither in the interests of the United States nor good for Israel.

Netanyahu partially recoils

Meanwhile, the demonstrations in Israel continue unabated, Sunday they were particularly violent. The chaos followed the resignation of Defense Secretary Joaw Gallant, 64, who had called for a pause in the changes.

On Monday, Netanyahu crawled back — at least in part. He announced that he would delay deciding on the reforms to “avoid civil war” and buy time to find a compromise. However, he still has no prospect of withdrawing the reforms.

Source: Blick