The White House’s National Security Council, the U.S. president’s main forum for addressing foreign policy, is “deeply concerned” by developments in Israel, its spokeswoman Adrienne Watson stated on Sunday. The events “further underscore the urgent need for compromise,” she said.
“As the president recently discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu, democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support,” she added.
“We continue to strongly urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible. We believe that is the best path forward for Israel and all of its citizens,” Watson said. “U.S. support for Israel’s security and democracy remains ironclad.”
As the Biden administration has issued frequent statements on Israel in recent days, critics have noted the “crickets” from Washington on violent French protests and Mexico undermining its democracy.
Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his defense minister Yoav Gallant for breaking ranks, and Asaf Zamir, Israeli consul general in New York, resigned with a “heavy heart.”