Chikli tells Nides to respect Israeli democracy after call to slow on judicial reform

The Biden administration has advised Netanyahu to "pump the brakes" regarding the judicial reforms, according to US ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides on Saturday.

"That's what we're doing now. We're telling the prime minister, as I tell my kids. Pump the brakes. Slow down, try to get a consensus, and bring the parties together," Nides said on The Axe Files podcast in a conversation with former senior advisor to Barack Obama, David Axelrod.

The US envoy said that "it's very complicated, they're trying to do things way too fast," referring to the current Israeli government, but clarified that the US is in no position to tell Israel how they pick the Supreme Court.

Rising concern about reforms among multiple groups

Nides noted the rising concern among American Jews, liberal and reform Jews and even conservative Jews that do not agree with the judicial reforms.

However, Nides did note that "the one thing that binds our countries together is a sense of democracy and a sense of democratic institution. That is how we defend Israel at the UN."

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli spoke out against Nides in an interview with Reshet Bet on Sunday morning.

"I say to him, slam the breaks yourself and mind your own business," the Likud minister said. "We'd be happy to debate with you in international or security affairs, but respect our democracy."