2023-09-18 17:36:02
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli government complained to Germany after the German ambassador attended a Supreme Court hearing this week on the legality of judicial reform promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, a diplomatic official said Monday. Israeli.
The complaint, filed by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, sparked an unusual diplomatic spat between the two allied countries. German leaders defended their ambassador in the face of criticism.
The Israeli official, who asked not to be identified as he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said Israel made its “disappointment” known through diplomatic channels, including the Israeli embassy in Berlin.
“This was a decision made at the highest levels of the ministry,” the official said. Cohen is a close ally of Netanyahu.
Last week’s hearing was the first on the controversial judicial reform, which has bitterly divided Israelis and put the country on the brink of a constitutional crisis.
Before the hearing, Ambassador Steffen Seibert posted a video of himself on X (formerly Twitter) inside the courtroom with the caption: “The place to be this morning.” He included the Hebrew hashtag for the Israeli Supreme Court.
“I think something important is happening here for Israeli democracy,” said the ambassador, in Hebrew. “We, as friends of Israel, are watching the Supreme Court with great interest and I wanted to see it for myself.” Seibert does not express any opinion in the video.
In New York, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his ambassador.
“The German ambassador is a very committed man with very clear principles. And I think everyone knows that, including in Israel,” Scholz told reporters.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock added that it is “a daily business for diplomats” to be aware of what is happening in foreign countries.
“It is also normal to go to public hearings or public court cases, that is part of your job,” he said.
Scholz and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
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