Netanyahu will be invited to the White House, says US envoy to Israel after overhaul pause

While protests continue in Israel despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delaying  judicial overhaul, US ambassor to Israel Tom Nides said that Israeli premier will be invited to White House. announcement came on Tuesday morning, hours after Netanyahu announced decision to delay overhaul, Times of Israel reported. Earlier it was reported that Netanyahu is expected to attend 'Summit for Democracy' which is being organised in US this week. 

“I’m sure he’ll be coming relatively soon,” Nides told Israel’s Army Rio on Tuesday. “I assume after Passover, obviously no date has been set yet. re’s no question he will come and meet US President Joe Biden. y will see each or personally, I’m sure, quite soon. Without question, he’ll be coming to White House as soon as ir schedules can be coordinated,” Nides ded. According to Times of Israel, Israeli Prime Minister has been unhappy over lack of invitation from US for last three months after he assumed office of Prime Minister all over again. Meanwhile, Washington has repeatedly cautioned against plan to constrain Israeli judiciary and urged Netanyahu ministration to bring in a more broly agreed-upon reform.  

Prospects for invitation came after US lauds overhaul pause

Netanyahu’s Monday announcement was welcomed by Biden ministration as well. “We welcome this announcement as an opportunity to create ditional time and space for compromise,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing, hours after Netanyahu gave televised statement. “Democratic societies are strengned by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with broest possible base of popular support,” she ded. Time and again, United States warned Netanyahu ministration to not make rical decisions that can cause instability in country. 

According to Times of Israel, last week, Biden phoned Netanyahu and reiterated American stance over issue and urged Israeli premier to not make rash decisions. Washington’s interest in this matter peaked after Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant who urged his boss to not go ahe with overhaul. Gallant stated that ongoing protests over issue would le to a breakdown of Israeli Defence Forces' operational capacity, making country more vulnerable to enemies. ongoing protests were major reason why Biden ministration was uncomfortable to invite Israel premier. 

As per report by New York Times, a senior US official believed that raging protests in country me US "more uncomfortable" to send Netanyahu an invite to US. Before Netanyahu me announcement, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that rical judicial reform which Israeli Prime Minister is trying to push “flies in face of whole idea of checks and balances.”