Blinken thanks Herzog for working to ‘build consensus on question of judicial reform’

President Isaac Herzog and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speak about the public controversy over the government’s plan to overhaul the judicial system in their public statements at the President’s Residence this evening, following their private working meeting.

Herzog says he is “heavily devoted” to resolving the issue or at least helping the sides debate the issue civilly.

“This is an issue that requires wide consensus, and it is an issue many democracies debate. We are a vibrant democracy,” says Herzog, saying he is proud of Israelis expressing their opinions.

“But, at the end of the day,” the president says, “we have to resolve our issues amicably, internally, as societies and nations should do, and this is my main focus these very days.”

Blinken praises “the clarity of your voice when it comes to working to deescalate tensions here among communities, and the clarity of your voice when it comes to finding a good way forward that builds consensus on the question of judicial reform.”

This is the fourth time the two leaders have met since Herzog became president.