US Ties Israeli Judicial Overhaul with Settlements in Palestinian Territories

Palestinians confront Israeli forces during a protest against a new settlement near Ramallah on March 10. (Reuters)
Palestinians confront Israeli forces during a protest against a new settlement near Ramallah on March 10. (Reuters)
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US Ties Israeli Judicial Overhaul with Settlements in Palestinian Territories

Palestinians confront Israeli forces during a protest against a new settlement near Ramallah on March 10. (Reuters)
Palestinians confront Israeli forces during a protest against a new settlement near Ramallah on March 10. (Reuters)

The US administration of US President Joe Biden welcomed the decision of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay action on the judicial overhaul.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said the Israeli decision is the best path for Israel and all its citizens to find this compromise.

In recent weeks, Netanyahu's conservative government has attempted to push through reforms to the judiciary that would effectively allow the government to choose judges of the country's top court.

After coming under much street pressure and international criticism, the PM decided to halt the reform and called for compromise talks with the center-left opposition.

A spokesman for the US State Department, Vedant Patel, said the move was "an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise," adding, "we continue to strongly urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible."

Patel noted that "democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest base of popular support."

In response to the accusations that Washington somehow funded the protests against Netanyahu's government, the spokesman asserted that these claims are "completely and demonstrably false."

"The Movement of Quality Government is an NGO, and it received a modest grant from the State Department initiated during the previous administration."

He explained that the latest disbursal of funds came in September of 2022, before the most recent Israeli elections, indicating that "the department supports a wide range of programming by civil society actors around the world on strengthening awareness for human rights and democratic values."

The cautious statements reflect the Biden administration's aim to maintain communication with Netanyahu amid efforts by US officials to calm the tensions and violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

CIA Director William Burns recently warned that a third intifada could break out.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are pushing hard to approve the judicial overhaul and maintain settlements in the Palestinian territories.

Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that some measures make it "hard or maybe futile" for the United States to mediate between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Blinken said: "I can say that both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority want us to be involved and engaged in helping and supporting and working with them to try to get to this period of calm."

He added: "At some point if either or both sides are not doing what we believe is necessary to get there, it will be hard or maybe futile for us to do that."

The right-wing Israeli government recently introduced legislation that would pave the way for the re-establishment of settlements in the occupied West Bank nearly 20 years after their disbandment.

A group of 92 US lawmakers sent a letter to Biden urging him to clarify that the US opposes any Israeli attempts to annex lands in the West Bank.

"Stripping the judiciary of its check on the governing coalition would empower far-right lawmakers seeking to entrench settlement of the West Bank and advance a pro-annexation agenda, undermining the prospects for a two-state solution and threatening Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state," the lawmakers wrote.



Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
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Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)

The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged on Thursday Houthi leaders to reduce national and regional escalation and release the detained UN staff and other humanitarian personnel.
The envoy stressed his determination to safeguard the progress made to date on the peace roadmap, which has been frozen since Houthis have stepped up their attacks against shipping routes in the Red Sea corridor.
Grundberg’s comments came on Thursday as he concluded a visit to Sanaa, his first to the Yemeni capital since May 2023.
The visit comes amid hopes that his efforts would prepare the ground for concrete actions for advancing the peace process in the country.
In a statement, Grundberg said he held discussions with senior political and military officials to renew engagement on the political process, focusing on addressing challenges and exploring possibilities for advancing peace within the region’s complex context.
During his meetings with Houthi leaders, the special envoy stressed the importance of national and regional de-escalation to foster an environment conducive to dialogue.
He urged the need for concrete actions to pave the way forward for a political process to achieve sustainable peace and stability across Yemen.
Grundberg’s discussions also highlighted the importance of taking steps to address economic challenges and improve living conditions, while simultaneously advancing preparations for a ceasefire – critical components of the road map and reaching a political resolution that meets the aspirations of Yemenis.
“I am determined to safeguard the progress made to date on the roadmap and keep focus on the prospects for peace in Yemen,” Grundberg noted.
Discussions on the conflict-related detainees file built on the progress made during negotiations held in Oman in July 2024.
The envoy emphasized that the file is vital for confidence building between the parties and advancing previous commitments.
He then underscored the importance of prioritizing this humanitarian issue as a step toward fostering trust that can help enable broader agreements and signal commitment to the peace process.
Protection of Civil Society
The Special Envoy started his visit to Sanaa at the home of the family of his colleague who has been arbitrarily detained by Houthis since June 2024.
He expressed his deepest compassion for what they have been enduring during this difficult period and offered his support, a statement by his office said.
Grundberg then updated the family on the UN efforts to secure the release of all arbitrarily detained personnel.
He also expressed solidarity with the families of the other detainees, acknowledging their shared anguish and the urgent need for their loved ones' release.
In all his discussions, the envoy strongly urged Houthis to release immediately and unconditionally the detained personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions.
Grundberg then echoed the Secretary General’s message that the arbitrary detentions are unacceptable and constitute a violation of international law.
“We must protect the role of civil society and humanitarian personnel. They make vital contributions to peace and rebuilding Yemen,” stated the Special Envoy.
Grundberg arrived in Yemen after holding talks with Omani officials in Muscat. Present at the talks was Houthi spokesman and chief negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam.
The envoy is hoping to make a breakthrough in the Yemeni crisis after his efforts stalled with the Houthis launching their attacks on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.
The Visit’s Agenda
Grundberg, a Swedish diplomat, is in Sanaa as part of his efforts to push the Houthis to take concrete actions for advancing the peace process.
He will also be pushing for the release of the arbitrarily detained UN personnel and also from other NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions.
The envoy said he plans to conduct a series of national and regional meetings in the coming days under his mediation efforts.