Blinken Talks With Israeli Counterpart After Judicial Change Protests

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, held discussions with Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, on March 30, just days after US President, Joe Biden, criticized Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, over his attempts to change the country’s judicial system.

Expressing his concern, Biden on March 28 said, “Like many supporters of Israel, I’m very concerned, and I’m concerned that they get this right. They cannot continue down this road.” Additionally, he stated that he would not meet with Netanyahu in the immediate future.

In a statement, the US State Department did not directly reference the proposed judicial changes, but did stress the importance of refraining from taking unilateral action that would increase tensions.

The State Department’s statement further revealed that Blinken and Cohen discussed mutual challenges, including Iran, and the effort to promote common interests, such as Israel’s increasing integration within the region. The US Secretary of State reiterated his country’s commitment to a two-state solution to the issue of Palestine and welcomed moves towards defusing hostility between the Israelis and the Palestinians. He also emphasized the significance of avoiding actions that might worsen tensions.

The meeting in Aqaba, Jordan, had taken place on February 26, while the communique in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, was on March 19.

Netanyahu subsequently announced on March 27 that he would suspend the attempted reform of Israel’s judicial system until the start of the next parliamentary seating after Passover.

Passover in Israel begins on April 5 and ends on April 12 (April 13 outside of Israel).

“To prevent division within our people, I have decided to postpone the vote on the second and third reading of the proposed legislation,” he said.