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U.S. NEWS Monday 20 March 2023

Biden calls Israel's Netanyahu with judicial plan 'concern'

By AAMER MADHANI and More than 200 Palestinians
ZEKE MILLER have been killed by Israeli
Associated Press fire in the West Bank and
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — east Jerusalem, and more
President Joe Biden spoke than 40 Israelis or foreigners
Sunday with Israeli Prime have been killed in Pales-
Minister Benjamin Netan- tinian attacks during that
yahu to express "concern" time. These include pledg-
over his government's es to stop unilateral ac-
planned overhaul of the tions, it said. Israel pledged
country's judicial system to stop discussion of new
that has sparked wide- settlement construction for
spread protests across Isra- four months, and to stop
el and to encourage com- plans to legalize unauthor-
promise. ized settlement outposts for
The White House said Biden six months.
reiterated U.S. concerns "The two sides agreed to
about the measure to roll establish a mechanism to
back the judiciary's insula- curb and counter violence,
tion from the country's po- incitement and inflamma-
litical system, in a call a se- tory states and actions,"
nior administration official Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Vice President Joe Biden talk prior to a meeting the communique said. The
on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 21, 2016.
described as "candid and Associated Press sides would report on prog-
constructive." There was ress at a follow-up meet-
no immediate indication that fundamental changes much power and prevent- praised the outcome of ing in Egypt next month, it
that Netanyahu was shying should be pursued with the ed lawmakers from carry- the summit in the Egyptian added.
away from the action, af- broadest possible base of ing out the voting public's Red Sea resort of Sharm The Biden administration re-
ter rejecting a compromise popular support." will. Critics say it will upend el-Sheikh. A joint communi- mains concerned about a
last week offered by the "The President offered sup- Israel's delicate system of que said the sides had re- repeat of the nightly clash-
country's figurehead presi- port for efforts underway checks and balances and affirmed a commitment to es and other violent inci-
dent. to forge a compromise on slide the country toward au- de-escalate and prevent dents between Palestinians
The official, who requested proposed judicial reforms thoritarianism. Opponents further violence. and Israelis in Jerusalem
anonymity to discuss the consistent with those core of the measure have car- Biden in the call "reinforced during Ramadan two years
leaders' private call, said principles," the statement ried out disruptive protests, the need for all sides to ago. Clashes at the Tem-
that Biden spoke to Netan- said. Netanyahu told Biden and has even embroiled take urgent, collaborative ple Mount in 2021 helped
yahu "as a friend of Israel in that Israel will "remain, a the country's military, after steps to enhance security trigger an 11-day war be-
the hopes that there can strong and vibrant democ- more than 700 elite officers coordination, condemn all tween Israel and Hamas,
be a compromise formula racy," according to the from the Air Force, special acts of terrorism, and main- which rules the Gaza Strip.
found." prime minister's office. forces, and Mossad said tain the viability of a two- Under longstanding ar-
The White House in state- Netanyahu said Sunday they would stop volunteer- state solution," according rangements, Jews are al-
ment added that Biden the legal changes would ing for duty. to the White House. lowed to visit the site but
"underscored his belief that be carried out responsibly The conversation followed The Israeli and Palestinian not pray there. But in re-
democratic values have while protecting the basic a Sunday meeting in Egypt delegations met for the cent years, the number
always been, and must rights of all Israelis. His gov- between Israeli and Pal- second time in less than a of visitors has grown, with
remain, a hallmark of the ernment — the country's estinian officials in which month, shepherded by re- some quietly praying. Such
U.S.-Israel relationship, that most right-wing ever — says they pledged to take steps gional allies Egypt and Jor- scenes have raised fears
democratic societies are the overhaul is meant to to lower tensions ahead dan, as well as the United among Palestinians that Is-
strengthened by genuine correct an imbalance that of a sensitive holiday sea- States, to end a yearlong rael is trying to alter the sta-
checks and balances, and has given the courts too son. Administration officials spasm of violence. tus quo.q

Nations approve key U.N. science

report on climate change

By FRANK JORDANS the end of a weeklong some observers fearing
Associated Press meeting in the Swiss town it might need to be post-
BERLIN (AP) — Govern- of Interlaken. poned.
ments gave their bless- The closing gavel was re- The U.N. plans to publish
ing on Sunday to a major peatedly pushed back as the report at a news con-
new U.N. report on climate officials from big nations ference early Monday af-
change, after approval such as China, Brazil, Saudi ternoon.
was held up by a battle be- Arabia, the United States The unusual process of hav-
tween rich and developing and the European Union ing countries sign off on a
countries over emissions haggled through the week- scientific report is intended A usually submerged section of the lake Serre-Poncon is dry in
targets and financial aid to end over the wording of to ensure that governments southern France, March 14, 2023.
vulnerable nations. key phrases in the text. accept its findings as au- Associated Press
The report by hundreds of A summary of the report thoritative advice on which
the world's top scientists was approved early Sun- to base their actions. on delegates to provide " world to limit global warm-
was supposed to be ap- day but agreement on the At the start of the meet- cold, hard facts " to drive ing to 1.5 degrees Celsius
proved by government main text dragged on for ing, U.N. Secretary-General home the message that (2.7 Fahrenheit) compared
delegations on Friday at several more hours, with António Guterres called there's little time left for the with preindustrial times.q