Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), chair of the House Republican Conference, on Thursday criticized US President Joe Biden over his response to the planned judicial reforms in Israel.
“Biden’s hostile comments toward our ally Israel are shameful,” she tweeted.
“Democracies around the world have robust debates over policy issues, yet Israel is the only target of Biden’s hostility & condemnation. I am always proud to stand with Israel. It’s time for Joe Biden to do the same,” added Stefanik.
With the comments, Stefanik became the latest Republican lawmaker to criticize Biden. Earlier on Thursday, US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “an Israeli patriot, statesman, and most importantly, a great friend of the United States of America”.
He added that he supports Netanyahu and called on Americans to stand together in support of Israel.
On Wednesday, former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and Senator Ted Cruz accused Biden of unduly involving himself in a domestic Israeli political issue.
These comments came after Biden offered very harsh criticism of Israel, saying he is “very concerned” about the goings on in light of the judicial reform and adding, “They cannot continue down this road.”
Biden also added he will not be inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House in the near term.
Netanyahu later responded to Biden and said, “The alliance between Israel and the United States is unbreakable and always overcomes the occasional disagreements between us.”
He also stressed that “Israel is a sovereign country which makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressures from abroad, including from the best of friends.”