McCarthy reaffirms US commitments to Israel’s defense, pleads for democratic norms

Kevin McCarthy welcomed the solidity of relations between the United States and Israel and expressed the desire to advance bilateral cooperation. “America is grateful for the friendship with Israel, we are a better nation because of this friendship and we will never hesitate to defend it,” said Kevin McCarthy in his speech in the Israeli Parliament (Knesset).

“As long as I am Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congress will continue to fully fund security assistance to Israel. Bipartisan support in the US is the foundation of our relationship,” McCarthy added, denouncing Iran’s activities in the Middle East. “To counter Iran, our nations must continue to stand together. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” said Kevin McCarthy.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives insisted that Israel must continue to respect democratic norms, but emphasized that the issue of justice reform, which has generated controversy and massive protests, is an internal Israeli matter. “Israel is a sovereign nation, it can decide what it wants to do. In a democracy, elements of checks and balances, the separation of powers in the state, are necessary, but we let the Israeli politicians decide these things,” insisted Kevin McCarthy, according to the site- Ynetnews.com and The Times of Israel newspaper.

Kevin McCarthy expressed the hope that the US President, Joseph Biden, will invite the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, to Washington, stating that he invited the Israeli leader to the US Congress anyway. “I expect the US Presidency to invite the Israeli prime minister to a meeting, especially now, on the occasion of Israel’s 75th anniversary,” McCarthy emphasized.

The Biden administration has asked Israel to delay implementation of judicial reforms amid massive protests. The Israeli government accepted the postponement of the reforms, in the context of accusations regarding the damage to the independence of the judiciary. Washington constantly criticizes the policies of the right-wing Government in Israel, amid tensions with the Palestinians. At the same time, the US Administration reaffirmed, on the occasion of Israel’s National Day, its commitments for the security of the Jewish state and for the continued integration of the country in the Middle East.