US 'strongly urges' Israeli leaders to reach compromise on changes to judiciary

White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson says in statement that compromise is the best way forward as angered protesters block main Tel Aviv highway, after PM sacks his defense minister
Reuters|
Protesters block major Tel Aviv highway

The United States is deeply concerned by events in Israel and "strongly urges" leaders there to find a compromise as soon as possible, a White House spokesperson said on Sunday after the firing of Israel's defense minister triggered mass protests.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday, a day after Gallant broke ranks with the government and urged a halt to a highly contested plan to overhaul the judicial system.
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Protests break out following the sacking of defense minister Yoav Galant by Netanyahu
Protests break out following the sacking of defense minister Yoav Galant by Netanyahu
Protests break out following the sacking of defense minister Yoav Galant by Netanyahu
(Photo: AFP)
"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," White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
Some three months since taking office, Netanyahu's nationalist-religious coalition has been plunged into crisis over the bitter divisions exposed by its flagship judicial overhaul plans.
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מדורה באיילון
מדורה באיילון
Protesters block main highway over defense minister's sacking
(Photo: Ortal Cohen)
The overhaul package would tighten political control over judicial appointments, handing the executive wider freedom to name judges to the Supreme Court.
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ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו יוצא ממפגש עם ראש ממשלת בריטניה ב דאונינג 10
ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו יוצא ממפגש עם ראש ממשלת בריטניה ב דאונינג 10
Benjamin Netanyahu
(Photo: AP)
"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," Watson said.
"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."
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