President Biden invites Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to DC following mass protests

President Joe Biden’s administration has invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit him at the White House ‘soon’, after the Israeli leader announced a pause in a controversial judicial overhaul plan amid mass protests.

The invite, announced by U.S. ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides, comes at a time of steep tensions in Israel and follows numerous White House statements that were critical of the plan, which drew months of protests inside Israel.

The White House had praised the delay on Monday as a potential opening for compromise, after days of protests in the streets and civil unrest – with unions carrying out a general strike and schools and universities shuttering their doors.

‘We welcome this announcement as an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise,’ said White House spokesman Karine Jean-Pierre. ‘A compromise is precisely what we have been calling for. And we continue to strongly urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible.’

Earlier Monday, national security spokesman Adm. John Kirby told reporters that ‘we remain concerned by the recent developments’ in Israel.

‘I’m sure he’ll be coming relatively soon,’ Nides told Israel’s Army Radio. ‘I assume after Passover, obviously no date has been set yet,’ he said, referencing the Jewish holiday that begins next week. 

‘Without question, he’ll be coming to the White House as soon as their schedules can be coordinated,’ he added. 

The Times of Israel reported that the administration wants to see Israelis and Palestinians get through the holiday peacefully before nailing down the terms, and that it wouldn’t happen for ‘at least another month or two.’

The New York Times noted that the lack of a precise date indicated it could fall through.

Netanyahu’s government backed down Monday amid mass protests

Protesters took to the streets after Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who had criticized the judicial overhaul. Here an Israeli protester throws a placard showing Netanyahu to a bonfire on March 27, 2023 in Tel Aviv

The invitation comes after the Biden administration has criticized the judicial overhaul. ‘We are deeply concerned by today’s developments out of Israel, which further underscore the urgent need for compromise,’ National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said Sunday

The latest development followed mass protests that erupted Sunday after Netanyauhu fired his defense minister, who said the judicial overhaul was threatening security by inserting divisions into Israel’s armed forces.

The administration had avoided extending an invitation to Netanyahu to visit, although he was set to take part virtually in a summit on democracy Wednesday.

The wily politician, who faces corruption charges in Israel, became close to former President Donald Trump, and had fraught relations with President Barack Obama when Biden served as vice president. 

The White House has shared its concern publicly about the latest developments in Isreal. 

‘We are deeply concerned by today’s developments out of Israel, which further underscore the urgent need for compromise,’ National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said Sunday. ‘Democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship.