'Israel' worried by deepening Iran-Russia ties: Netanyahu to WSJ

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Wall Street Journal
29 Jun 2023 16:53

Israeli occupation Prime Minister says he had "thrown out" a key provision of his controversial judicial reform plan.

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP)

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out that the Iranian-Russian ties worry "Israel", most notably growing military cooperation between the two countries.

“It’s a very disturbing relationship,” Netanyahu expressed, referring to Iran-Russia ties, adding, "We’ve made our concerns known to the Russians."

He explained that he is particularly worried about Israeli weapons being taken off the battlefield in Ukraine and given to Iran, if "Israel" decided to supply Ukraine with military aid.

The Israeli occupation Prime Minister specifically stated that "Israel" could not let the US transfer the Iron Dome system to Ukraine, saying, “If that system were to fall into the hands of Iran, then millions of Israelis would be left defenseless and imperiled,” Netanyahu said.

Regarding the mounting divisions within the Israeli occupation, Netanyahu said he had "thrown out" a key provision of his controversial judicial reform plan that has sparked one of the Israeli occupation's biggest-ever protest movements.

He said he intends to press on with the reforms, but without a clause that aimed to undermine the Supreme Court's powers and give Israeli politicians a greater say in the selection of judges.

Netanyahu told The Wall Street Journal that he had sought to have a "broad consensus" with the opposition, but on June 14 "Israel's" two main opposition leaders, Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, pulled out of negotiations.

Commenting on the current thorny relationship with the US, Netanyahu admitted that he didn't receive an invitation to visit the White House from US President Joe Biden.

“I think it may take some time, but I think, of course, I should expect to meet President Biden,” he said.

This comes shortly after Netanyahu's office confirmed that the Israeli occupation PM is set to make a visit to Beijing after informing a delegation of US officials of his plans to do so.

Israeli media suggested that the announcement came after Netanyahu grew impatient with Washington which, up until now, refused to invite him for talks, citing judicial reforms.