Israeli parliament passes key part of Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan

LTC Eugene Chu
..."The White House took the highly unusual step of weighing in on Israel's internal political developments after the vote.

"As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible," the statement released by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority."

Earlier, in a statement Sunday to the news website Axios, President Joe Biden urged Netanyahu to come to a peaceable consensus.

“Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesn’t make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this — the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus,” he said.

The political turmoil comes amid heightened concerns over Netanyahu's health. The 73-year-old was fitted with a pacemaker over the weekend, in his second hospital stay in two weeks.

The prime minister recorded a short video saying he was well, thanking the doctors and the public for their support. He attended the Knesset vote in person.

But Netanyahu's foes vowed to keep fighting. The chairman of the Histradut, Israel's national labor union, Arnon Bar-David, said after Monday's vote that he will gather his members and if necessary call a "complete shutdown."

Paul Goldman and Raf Sanchez reported from Jerusalem, Patrick Smith from London and Corky Siemaszko from New York."

LTC Eugene Chu Sad Seeing Israel become a Fascist State!