A chorus of leaders on Israel’s political right attacked U.S. President Joe Biden for his criticisms of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, calling Biden “weak” and claiming Israel is “more democratic” than the U.S.
The criticism came after Biden said he would not invite Netanyahu to the White House — a courtesy shown to every elected Israeli leader, and to both of Netanyahu’s predecessors — and that Israel needed political change.
Biden contradicted U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, who promised an invitation would be forthcoming just hours before, after Netanyahu paused his government’s ongoing judicial reforms, amid mounting protest.
Israeli figures — including former ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren — blasted Biden’s attempt to intervene in domestic politics, especially as the threat of a potential nuclear Iran loomed, presumably a common threat.
Oren said, according to the Times of Israel, “I don’t think a country that has experienced not long ago an insurrection is in a position to be preaching democracy to Israel, or in fact anybody. It is not exactly the position to be telling us what is democratic and what is not democratic.”
Others, including far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, were even more blunt, declaring that Israel is “not another star on the U.S. flag.”
Related Story: 5 Ways Democrats, Progressives Have Attempted to Undercut Israel’s Conservatives
