Signs of a crisis? Netanyahu's coalition calls on Washington's ambassador not to interfere in Israel's affairs

Members of the ruling coalition in Israel on Sunday called on the US ambassador to Tel Aviv, Tom Nidis, not to interfere in the country's internal affairs, after he called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the controversial "judicial reform" plan.

Addressing the US ambassador, Diaspora Minister Amichai Shekli told the state broadcaster: "Simply and clearly mind your own business."

Chikli, who is from the Likud party led by Netanyahu, added: "You do not have the authority to address judicial reforms, but we will be happy to discuss foreign relations and security matters with you  Respect our democracy."

In turn, the head of the Parliamentary Constitution Committee, Simcha Rothman of the "Religious Zionism" party led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, said: "I do not think that we should interfere in the internal affairs of any country."

Speaking to the Hebrew newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, she continued: "What is proposed for voting tomorrow, Monday, is to change the method of selecting judges so that Israel becomes democratic like all democracies in the world."

Rothman, a major promoter of the plan, added, "I don't think there is any legitimacy in Israel, and certainly not abroad, to say that this (imminent reform) endangers the State of Israel."

Praising relations with the United States, MK Yitzhak Crozier of the Jewish Power party led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said, "I appreciate and respect our great friend, the United States of America."

But he added, in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth radio: "I do not remember that we are a state belonging to the United States. Israel is an independent state. We have a democratic, independent and strong system of government."

And he added, "We have a prime minister, we have a minister of justice, we have here a healthy Israeli regime that knows how to manage itself and also knows how to listen to criticism from different countries."

And on Saturday, the US ambassador said, in a conversation on The Ax Files podcast with the interviewer, David Axlord, commentator for the American “CNN” network: “I tell Prime Minister Netanyahu as I tell my children Use the brakes. Slow down and try to reach an agreement and unite the parties.”

Neidas added, "The only thing that binds our two countries is our democratic vision, and that is why we defend Israel at the United Nations If we believe that democratic institutions are under pressure and tension, we express that," according to Israeli media.

On Monday, Knesset members in the Constitution Committee voted in favor of the proposed amendments as part of a plan promoted by the government aimed at changing the formation of the Judges Selection Committee and preventing the Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority) from annulling basic laws, and a vote is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, on a number of items of the plan before the Knesset Plenum (120). member).

For the seventh week in a row, tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday evening in Tel Aviv and other cities to protest the plan, which the opposition describes as a "judicial coup," while Netanyahu says it aims to restore balance between the three powers (legislative, judicial, and executive).

On December 29, the Knesset granted confidence to a coalition government led by Netanyahu, which is described as "the most right-wing in the history of Israel," with warnings about its policies, especially against the Palestinian people.