President Joe Biden spoke Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express "concern" over his government's planned overhaul of the country's judicial system that has sparked widespread protests across Israel and to encourage compromise.

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The White House said Biden reiterated US concerns about the measure to roll back the judiciary's insulation from the country's political system, in a call a senior administration official described as "candid and constructive." There was no immediate indication that Netanyahu was shying away from the action, after rejecting a compromise last week offered by the country's figurehead president.
The official, who requested anonymity to discuss the leaders' private call, said that Biden spoke to Netanyahu "as a friend of Israel in the hopes that there can be a compromise formula found."

The White House in statement added that Biden "underscored his belief that democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the US-Israel relationship, that democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support."

"The President offered support for efforts underway to forge a compromise on proposed judicial reforms consistent with those core principles," the statement said.

Netanyahu told Biden that Israel will "remain, a strong and vibrant democracy," according to the Prime Minister's Office.
Netanyahu said Sunday the legal changes would be carried out responsibly while protecting the basic rights of all Israelis. His government – the country's most right-wing ever – says the overhaul is meant to correct an imbalance that has given the courts too much power and prevented lawmakers from carrying out the voting public's will.

Critics say it will upend Israel's delicate system of checks and balances and slide the country toward authoritarianism. Opponents of the measure have carried out disruptive protests, and has even embroiled the country's military, after more than 700 elite officers from the Israeli Air Force, special forces, and Mossad said they would stop volunteering for duty.

The conversation followed a Sunday meeting in Egypt between Israeli and Palestinian officials in which they pledged to take steps to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday season. Administration officials praised the outcome of the summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. A joint communique said the sides had reaffirmed a commitment to de-escalate and prevent further violence.
Biden in the call "reinforced the need for all sides to take urgent, collaborative steps to enhance security coordination, condemn all acts of terrorism, and maintain the viability of a two-state solution," according to the White House.

The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met for the second time in less than a month, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United States, to end a yearlong spasm of violence.

"The two sides agreed to establish a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement and inflammatory states and actions," the communique said. The sides would report on progress at a follow-up meeting in Egypt next month, it added.

The Biden administration remains concerned about a repeat of the nightly clashes and other violent incidents between Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem during Ramadan two years ago. Clashes at the Temple Mount in 2021 helped trigger an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not pray there. But in recent years, the number of visitors has grown, with some quietly praying. Such scenes have raised fears among Palestinians that Israel is trying to alter the status quo.

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i24NEWS is an Israeli international 24-hour news and current affairs television channel based in Tel Aviv. It broadcasts in French, English and Arabic.

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With a heightened focus on US news, the i24NEWS weekday programming lineup "will now deliver a rich selection of both global and domestic news, including the in-depth international and Middle Eastern news coverage that is the trademark of i24NEWS and a wide array of fast-paced, non-partisan national breaking and headline news," the network said.

This expansion into US news is made possible through Altice USA's recent acquisition of Cheddar and a partnership with the network's established reporters, studios, and newsgathering operations.

"i24NEWS has always been a destination for hard-hitting international news, and we are excited to expand the network's focus to include top national news stories in the US," said Frank Melloul, founder and CEO of i24NEWS, adding that the network "is now delivering the very best in both national and international news, making it easier for our viewers to stay informed on the current events in the US and across the world."

"i24NEWS is now our brand for international and national news," said Jon Steinberg, President of Altice News. "Altice News now has three leading brands: i24NEWS for global news, News 12 for hyperlocal coverage, and Cheddar for business news. We are committed and focused on live video news in all categories."

Starting this week, viewers can tune in to i24NEWS to catch its new expanded programming lineup, including the network's slate of global news programs plus a wide array of domestic coverage of breaking news items as well as the latest trends and updates in politics, entertainment, travel, food, health, science, sports, and weather. The new domestic coverage will be delivered daily on i24NEWS by the Cheddar anchor team with additional reporting from Cheddar's DC Bureau Chief J.D. Durkin and reporter Megan Pratz, plus coverage from the i24NEWS news teams including Washington DC-based reporters Shayna Estulin and Dan Raviv.

i24NEWS will continue to air throughout the weekday its daily news programs from the heart of the Middle East as well as the network's original live prime time slate from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST, including marquee current affairs and news shows "Crossroads," "Clearcut," "Take30" and "Stateside," delivered by the i24NEWS anchor team including Michelle Makori and Eric Landskroner.

i24NEWS and Cheddar are part of the Altice News group, which also includes News 12's seven hyperlocal news networks serving the New York tri-state area. Altice News offers a full range of hyperlocal, national, business, and international news, and broadcasting across linear, digital, and mobile platforms.

Since making its United States debut in 2017, i24NEWS has brought a fresh, intelligent perspective to the world's current events coverage. The network has increased its distribution through agreements with some of the largest MVPDs and has seen a 300% increase in viewership across Altice USA households since its launch.
i24NEWS can be found on Xfinity Channel 1118, on Spectrum Channel 210, on Optimum Channel 14, on Suddenlink Channel 49, and on Mediacom Channel 228.

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