Israel's judicial reform efforts could complicate its relationship with US – but the countries have faced other bumps along the road

The United States and Israel are close allies, but their alliance has had ups and downs over the years. iStock/Getty Images Plus

President Joe Biden startled many Americans and Israelis when he recently asked the Jewish state’s new far-right government to make its controversial attempts to reform the judicial system disappear like leavened products before Passover.

Biden’s unexpected request came in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to weaken the ability of Israel’s Supreme Court to review or toss out laws. The country has no written constitution, so some observers think this could throw its checks and balances into disarray.