As Netanyahu talks Iran, Blinken makes US concerns over judicial shakeup clear - The Times of Israel
Speaking alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who sought to focus on Iran — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken placed a noticeable emphasis on the democratic values shared by the two countries, a clear sign that the White House is concerned over initiatives by Israel’s new right-wing government.
The plan has drawn intense criticism and warnings from leading financial and legal experts, as well as weekly mass protests and public petitions by various officials, professionals, and private companies.Hinting at the deep disagreement between the Biden administration and Netanyahu’s government, Blinken said that the US and Israel have over the years strengthened their democracies by “holding ourselves to the mutual standards we’ve established; and by speaking frankly and respectfully, as friends do, when we agree and when we do not.”Israel refused to arm Kyiv over fears of angering Moscow, concerned that doing so would jeopardize its decade-long campaign in Syria to prevent the entrenchment of Iran on its northern border.After expounding on the importance of helping Israel integrate into the region and expand the Abraham Accords, Blinken emphasized that “these efforts are not a substitute for progress between Israelis and Palestinians.”“We continue to believe that the best way to achieve it is through preserving and then realizing the vision of two states,” said Blinken, adding that the US is “urging all sides now to take urgent steps to restore calm, to de-escalate.”