Benjamin Netanyahu
The Israeli prime minister defends his government’s judicial reform plan, calls on opposition leaders to stop speaking about civil war and “the destruction of the state.”
Inflation in Israel surged to 5.3% in November, prompting the Bank of Israel on Jan. 2 to again raise the country’s benchmark interest rate, to 3.75%, the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also called Netanyahu to congratulate him on the formation of the new Israeli government.
Despite being clearly uncomfortable with Russian conduct in its invasion of its neighbor, Israel remains hesitant to send more aid to Ukraine.
Top of Hanegbi’s agenda: preparing for the visit of his American counterpart Jake Sullivan, to focus on the Iranian nuclear threat.
“Those who need to be given a reminder of our red lines in this matter will receive it,” said Benjamin Netanyahu.
Denouncing the government’s planned judicial reforms, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid vows to continue fighting on streets across the country in a “war over our home.”
Just two weeks into its tenure, Israel’s new government has already implemented a raft of retaliatory measures against the Palestinian leadership.
The Israeli strategic affairs minister is the first official from Israel’s new government to visit the U.S. • Israel and the U.S. agree that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, but have “some tactical differences,” says U.S. State Dept.
“So now, because of the brave men and women of Iran, the entire world sees what we’ve been talking about, that this is a terrible, repressive, terrorist regime,” said the prime minister.
The goal of the visit is to “coordinate expectations” between the Biden and Netanyahu administrations.
“The attempt to restore the correct balance between the branches of government is not the destruction of democracy, but the strengthening of democracy,” says the Israeli prime minister.
