Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was extended an official invitation to visit Washington, DC, by US President Joe Biden on Monday, according to the prime minister's office.
A day before Israeli President Isaac Herzog's trip to Washington, Biden and Netanyahu spoke on the phone and extended the offer.
Netanyahu took office again more than six months ago, but Biden waited until much later than most Israeli prime ministers would have to extend an invitation.
US officials, including Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin during a trip to Israel in March, had criticised the right-wing Israeli government's actions authorising settler outposts and inflammatory remarks from a member of Netanyahu's cabinet with responsibility for Jewish settlements amid an uptick in West Bank violence.
According to the statement, Netanyahu promised Biden he would work to establish "broad public consensus" in Israel in order to pass legislation that would significantly reduce the authority of the country's highest court. Anti-government demonstrations have been occurring in Israel since the legislation was passed.
A day before Israeli President Isaac Herzog's trip to Washington, Biden and Netanyahu spoke on the phone and extended the offer.
Netanyahu took office again more than six months ago, but Biden waited until much later than most Israeli prime ministers would have to extend an invitation.
US officials, including Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin during a trip to Israel in March, had criticised the right-wing Israeli government's actions authorising settler outposts and inflammatory remarks from a member of Netanyahu's cabinet with responsibility for Jewish settlements amid an uptick in West Bank violence.
According to the statement, Netanyahu promised Biden he would work to establish "broad public consensus" in Israel in order to pass legislation that would significantly reduce the authority of the country's highest court. Anti-government demonstrations have been occurring in Israel since the legislation was passed.
