US-Israeli relations under strain due to Tel Aviv’s controversial ‘judicial overhaul’ plan

By Abdel Ra'ouf D. A. R. Arnaout and Muhammed Emin Canik

JERUSALEM (AA) - The controversial judicial overhaul plan by Israel’s far-right government has created tension between the US and its longtime Middle East ally.

Haaretz daily reported that a speech by US Vice President Kamala Harris’s at Israel’s Embassy in Washington marking Israel’s Independence Day stressed the US dissatisfaction with the reform plan.

“America will continue to stand for the values that have been the bedrock of the US-Israel relationship, which includes continuing to strengthen our democracies, which as the (Israeli) ambassador has said, are both built on strong institutions, checks and balances, and I'll add: an independent judiciary,” said Harris in her speech.

Speaking later to KAN radio, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen criticized Harris, claiming that she had not read the reforms.

"I have already heard comments like this, no one could tell me what exactly what was bothering them,” he added.

Meanwhile, Thomas Nides, the US ambassador to Israel, also told KAN in response to Cohen: “I have respect for Minister Cohen, but the vice president said things that the administration says at every opportunity regarding the shared values and policies.”

Later on Twitter, Cohen tried to soften his remarks about Harris, without retreating in his support for the reform plan.

“I have deep respect for our ally the United States of America and for Vice President Harris, a true friend of Israel. Israel’s legal reform is an internal issue that is currently in the process of consolidation and dialogue. The State of Israel will continue to be democratic and liberal, as it has always been,” said Cohen.

Israel has been in political turmoil over the past few months over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reform, seen by the opposition as a power grab in favor of the executive authority.

Netanyahu, however, insists that his plan would enhance democracy and restore the balance among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

On March 27, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, bowed to pressure and announced a temporary halt to the plan amid protests across the country, but he reportedly hopes to reintroduce it.