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Biden urged to condemn Netanyahu's legal reforms amid mass protests across USA
Thousands also protested outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv
July 14, 2023 12:01
1 min read
Thousands also protested outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv
July 14, 2023 12:01Thousands of people have gathered outside the US embassy in Israel and across America calling on Joe Biden to condemn Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the country's judiciary.
Demonstrators gathered outside the diplomatic office in Tel Aviv on Thursday night. They held US and Israeli flags and signs reading "SOS" and "Democracies must protect each other".
The gatherings came days after the US President called members of Netanyahu's far-right government "extreme". He urged Netanyahu to show "moderation" with the judicial overhaul.
Shai Beloosesky, former IDF colonel and Israeli government advisor, spoke at a New York rally. The Reform Rabbi said: “There is no Judaism without democracy."
He continued: “We must preserve the alliance with the United States of America and listen to the voices coming from the White House and the State Department”.
Relations between the US and Israel have been delicate in recent months since the reforms were announced.
Biden has so far declined to invite Netanyahu to the White House, normally a standard courtesy extended to Israeli leaders.
Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, is set to visit Washington next week, and has been invited to address a joint session of Congress on July 19 to celebrate Israel's 75th anniversary.