U.S. Vice President: Israel Needs an "Independent Judiciary"

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris stated that "Israel's democracy requires an independent judiciary," joining the debate surrounding the judicial reforms proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which have sparked widespread protests in Israel. She emphasized that "America will continue to defend the values that form the foundation of U.S.-Israeli relations, including ongoing support for our democracies, which, as the (Israeli) ambassador mentioned, rely on strong institutions and checks and balances, and I add: an independent judiciary." The Vice President was speaking at an event marking 75 years since the establishment of Israel, hosted by the Israeli embassy in Washington. Her remarks regarding the judiciary were met with applause. Harris also reiterated the Biden administration's "steadfast commitment to Israel's security." Israel has witnessed unprecedented protests over several weeks following Netanyahu's announcement of a proposed package of reforms to the Supreme Court, which members of his religious-nationalist coalition accuse of elitism and overstepping its mandate.