VP stresses importance of independent judiciary

(Jacob Magid & TIMES OF ISRAEL) – US Vice-President Kamala Harris stressed the importance of an independent judiciary during a speech last Tuesday at an event marking the 75th anniversary of Israel’s independence hosted by its embassy in Washington.

The not-so-subtle allusion to the Biden administration’s opposition to the efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government to radically alter the judiciary was part of a speech that largely praised Israel.

“America will continue to stand for the values that have been the bedrock of the US-Israel relationship, which include continuing to strengthen our democracies, which … are both built on strong institutions, checks and balances – and I’ll add an independent judiciary,” Harris said to applause from many of the 2000 people listening.

Harris largely focused on congratulating Israel on its 75th birthday while touting the Biden administration’s record of support of Israel and the Jewish community.

She began by noting her husband Doug Emhoff is the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice-president and said his partnership led to the first mezuzah on the front door of the Vice-President’s Residence, the first Chanukah menorah lighting there and the first Passover seder at the residence.

Harris recalled – as she often does in front of Jewish crowds – how as a young girl she helped raise money for the Jewish National Fund to plant trees in Israel.

She touted the nearly $US4 billion in annual security aid that the US provides Israel, as well as the administration’s efforts to expand Jerusalem’s ties with its Arab neighbours.

“As we do that, the Biden-Harris administration will continue to work toward a world where Israelis and Palestinians can live safely and securely and enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity and democracy. And we believe that the best way to achieve this goal is through two states,” she said.

Harris also highlighted the recently released White House strategy to combat antisemitism.

In his own speech, Israeli ambassador Michael Herzog briefly referenced the controversy surrounding the judicial overhaul.

“Israel is an imperfect democracy, and we like you have our own set of internal challenges. As a young nation only 75 years old, we are still grappling with important questions relating to our democratic system. But let me assure you, I am confident that Israel will remain a vibrant democracy,” he said to applause.

The Biden administration has largely eased its criticism of the overhaul since Netanyahu agreed to a pause in March in order to engage in negotiations with the opposition. But with a compromise still elusive, the administration has held off on extending an invitation for Netanyahu to visit the White House.

President Isaac Herzog may well beat Netanyahu there. He sent a video message for the event, during which he said was looking forward to travelling “in the near future” to the US where he’d be giving an address to a joint session of Congress and visiting “my good friends at the White House”.

Responding the next day to Harris’ comments regarding an independent judiciary, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told Kan news, “If we were to ask Kamala Harris what bothers her about the reform, she wouldn’t be able to name a single clause.

“I don’t know if [Harris] read the law or not – my assessment is that she hasn’t.”

In response, US ambassador to Israel Tom Nides told Channel 12 news that Harris’s presence at the Israeli embassy event spoke to the strength of the relations between the two nations.

“I have respect for FM Cohen, but the VP said things the administration says [at] every opportunity regarding the shared values and policies,” Nides said. “Harris is a strong supporter of Israel.”

As the diplomatic storm grew, Cohen issued a statement in both English and Hebrew in which he said he had “deep respect” for Harris.