US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has called for political consensus in Israel during a phone call with his Israeli counterpart, amid growing strain between the allies over an Israeli judicial overhaul that has sparked major protests.
Israel’s parliament recently ratified an initial bill aimed at curbing the powers of the Supreme Court, despite facing months of internal unrest over the proposal and receiving appeals from the US and other countries to hold off and negotiate with the opposition.
The protests have raised concerns about the impact on the Israeli military, with protest leaders reporting an increasing number of military reservists stating they would refuse to report for duty if the government proceeds with its judicial reform plans. Former top Israeli military officials have warned that the country’s war-readiness, given the presence of Arab and Iranian enemies across the Middle East, could be jeopardized.
In the call, Defense Secretary Austin stressed the United States’ belief that achieving broad consensus through political dialogue, especially in the coming weeks and months, is crucial for maintaining a resilient democracy.
While the Pentagon’s readout of the call did not directly address the protests by Israeli reservists, it mentioned that Austin urged Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to address extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians.
The White House has previously expressed its concern over Israel’s parliament ratifying part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious judicial overhaul, calling it “unfortunate.”
The situation in Israel continues to be closely monitored by the US and other international allies as the country grapples with the implications of its judicial reforms and the ongoing protests.