The White House spoke out against the passage of part of the government’s judicial reform plan on Monday.
“As a lifelong friend of Israel, President [Joe] Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible,” a statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre read. “It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority.”
In fact, the law limiting the courts’ use of “reasonableness” to overturn executive decisions passed with 64 in favor and none opposed, with the opposition boycotting the vote.
The White House added that it understands “talks are ongoing and likely to continue over the coming weeks and months to forge a broader compromise even with the Knesset in recess,” and expressed support for President Isaac Herzog’s efforts in that vein.
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Three protesters injured after being run over
The security officer of Kibbutz Hatzerim shot in the air with a handgun during a confrontation with supporters of the government’s judicial reform near the Kibbutz entrance in southern Israel, Israel Police stated on Monday evening.
The security officer and six other people were arrested by police forces who were called to the scene and restored the order, after a group of protesters had blocked the access road to the Kibbutz.
A protester told Maariv: “We arrived at Kibbutz Hatzerim and protested. At a certain point a mother of a special needs child came and wanted to pass, we wanted to let her through and then she let another man from the Kibbutz drive the car. He began driving erratically and hit two of our protesters. He got out of the car and then the confrontation began, all of a sudden the security officer pulled out the gun for the first time and threatened [us] and then simply shot in the air.”
