Israel’s move to curb the power of the Supreme Court saw tens of thousands take to the streets in protest, escalating a crisis that has spread to the army and prompted U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to cut back a visit.
More than 20 people were arrested Thursday in the country’s biggest unrest in decades, according to police, following demonstrations in many cities across the country. Austin meet his counterpart, Yoav Gallant, in an engagement near Tel Aviv airport to avoid any disruption, the Israeli defense ministry said.
“America’s commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad,” Austin said after the meeting, though he urged Gallant — as he had Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier — to take steps to de-escalate the violence. He said the U.S. is disturbed by the violence and stressed democracy must have an independent judiciary.
