By Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) - British Foreign Secretary welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's move to pause controversial legislation to reform Israel’s judiciary, according to a statement by Foreign Office on Monday.
"The UK enjoys a deep and historic relationship with Israel. As the Prime Minister [Rishi Sunak] stressed in his meeting with PM Netanyahu last week, it is vital that the shared democratic values that underpin that relationship are upheld, and a robust system of checks and balances are preserved," James Cleverly said in a statement.
Following wide range of months-long protests against Israel's judicial overhaul, Netanyahu early Monday announced a delay to the controversial plans for judicial reforms.
The reform plans has been decried by the opposition as a "power grab" in favor of the executive authority.
"We urge all parties to find common ground and seek a long-term compromise to this sensitive issue," added Cleverly.