US welcomes pause in judicial overhaul but remains concerned

The White House on Monday welcomed the delay to move forward with controversial judicial reforms by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“We welcome this announcement as an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “A compromise is precisely what we have been calling for. And we continue to strongly urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible.”

The US however remains concerned about the situation in Israel, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

Kirby added that Biden shared his concerns about the proposed judicial overhaul directly with Netanyahu.

He said Biden has been “very forthright” with Netanyahu about his concerns. Asked if Biden was worried that Israel would devolve into civil war, Kirby said he was not.