Diplomatic Spat Emerges After Israel Blasts VP Harris Over ‘Independent Judiciary’ Comments

Israel harshly criticized Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday for seemingly taking a snipe at the judicial reform during a celebration in honor of Israel’s 75th independence at the country’s embassy in Washington.

Speaking at a reception, Harris said, “America will continue to stand for the values that have been the bedrock of the U.S.-Israel relationship, which includes continuing to strengthen our democracies, which… are both built on strong institutions, checks and balances, and I’ll add: an independent judiciary.”

The event was attended, among others, by Chairman of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee MK Simcha Rothman, one of the main driving forces behind the controversial legislation.

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen criticized Harris, saying, “I believe that she didn’t even read it. If you ask her what about the reform troubles her, she wouldn’t be able to name one clause. I have heard such comments in places I’ve visited, and I asked, ‘What exactly bothers you?’ No one could put their finger on it.

“It’s not criticism; those who [cherish] the values of democracy more than anyone are the right wing and the Likud. Most of the public wants judicial reform. And most of the public wants a broad agreement. Public trust in the judicial system has deteriorated, and the reform will restore trust and create heterogeneity in the judicial system.”