Inside Israel's failed Ukraine-Russia mediation efforts

1 big thing: Inside Israel's failed Ukraine-Russia mediation efforts

Part II: "Mediation died when Bucha happened"

Scenes from Bucha, Ukraine, after Russian troops retreated. 

3. How it happened: Israel's early intel about the invasion

Israeli flag is seen in front of the building where Israeli Embassy is located in Kyiv, Ukraine, in October 2019. Photo: Sergii Kharchenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Israeli lawmakers urge Netanyahu to send Ukraine weapons

4. Israeli lawmakers urge Bibi to send Ukraine weapons

5. Israeli officials say first intel on Iran drones came from Mossad

This week's edition (2,052 words, 8 minutes) is a special takeover ahead of the one-year anniversary of the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

As the Israeli government faces growing pressure to send military help to Ukraine, I look back at what guided Israel's policy and how the country's early mediation shaped the first year of diplomacy to try to end the conflict.

Tel Aviv

A set of building blocks, each decorated with a flag of a country in the Middle East.

darkTeal

Go behind the scenes with Israel's most plugged-in reporter, Barak Ravid, on the events and decisions impacting the region.

Axios from Tel Aviv

U.S.-Saudi relations "better," regardless of China-brokered Iran-Saudi deal

1 big thing: U.S.-Saudi relations in "better spot," regardless of deal

Scoop: Israel approves export licenses for anti-drone systems for Ukraine

2. Scoop: Israel OKs export licenses for anti-drone systems for Ukraine

UN envoy: "Responsible leaders" can take steps to de-escalate tensions in West Bank

3. UN: "Responsible leaders" can take steps to de-escalate during Ramadan

4. Part II: UN envoy's worry about Bibi's judicial overhaul 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

5. Erdoğan faces toughest election yet

This week's edition (2,251 words, 8½ minutes) starts with how the U.S. views the China-brokered Iran-Saudi deal. It also brings you a major scoop on Israel and Ukraine. 

And I talked to the UN envoy for Middle East peace about what steps can be taken to de-escalate tensions in Israel and the occupied West Bank.

⚡ Situational awareness: I'm heading to Berlin to cover Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to express concerns over the Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan. Read more. 

Scoop: U.S. weighs further steps against Israel's settlement expansion

1 big thing: Inside tough Israel-U.S. talks on settlements

Part II: A "measured" public response

Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Photo: Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images

Part III: Palestinians go to the UN

Riyad Mansour, the UN ambassador to the UN, speaks Jan. 5 during an emergency Security Council meeting on the escalation in the occupied West Bank. Photo: Timothy Clary/AFP via Getty Images

4. Scoop: Schumer expected to visit Israel with Senate Dems

5. Scoop: EU prepares sanctions on IRGC entities

This week's edition (2,031 words, 7½ minutes) gives you a behind-the-scenes look at tough conversations the Biden administration and Israeli officials had ahead of Israel's latest settlement announcement. 

⚡ Situational awareness: A senior U.S. delegation is in Saudi Arabia this week for talks with six Gulf countries on Iran and security cooperation in the region. It's the first senior U.S. delegation to travel to the kingdom since a crisis erupted over oil production. Go deeper

1 big scoop: Top Israeli officials to visit White House to talk Iran

2. Scoop: Austin to visit Israel as tensions in West Bank intensify

U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu give a statement after their meeting in Jerusalem on April 12, 2021. Photo: 

Scoop: McConnell says U.S. shouldn't weigh in on Bibi's judicial overhaul plan

3. Scoop... McConnell: U.S. shouldn't weigh in on Bibi's judicial overhaul

McConnell stands next to Netanyahu during their meeting in Jerusalem in February. 

Scoop: The real reason Netanyahu didn't go to the UAE in January

4. Scoop: The real reason Bibi didn't go to the UAE in January

Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets first ambassador of United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Israel, Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja

Scoop: Trump's former ambassador to Israel slams Bibi's judicial overhaul plan

5. Scoop: Trump's ex-ambassador slams Bibi's judicial overhaul

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman

This week's edition (1,992 words, 7½ minutes) brings you five scoops related to officials' travel plans, Iran's "remarkable" nuclear progress, and why David Friedman thinks Bibi and the Israeli right have gone too far. 

🚨 Situational awareness: Israeli police used stun grenades and water cannons on protesters who were rallying against the government's judicial overhaul plan today. 

Plus: Iran's "remarkable" nuclear progress

Protests over Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan rock Israeli military

1 big thing: Protests over Bibi's judicial plan rock IDF

Israel protests force Pentagon chief to cut Tel Aviv trip short, Israeli officials say

2. Austin forced to cut trip to Israel short

3. Austin's unannounced visit to Iraq 

Lloyd Austin meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. 

4. Smotrich still waiting on diplomatic visa to travel to U.S.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Jan. 11. Photo: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images

U.S. and Israel looking at Iran from "much closer point of view"

5. U.S. and Israel looking at Iran from "much closer point of view"

This week's edition (2,081 words, 8 minutes) starts with the growing protests, including in the military, over the Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan. 

It also previews U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's trip to Israel and dives into how talks between the U.S. and Israel on Iran went. 

National

President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their call on Sunday that he was concerned about the Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan because in all the years he has followed Israel, he has never seen such a high level of domestic anxiety over the political situation in the country, two U.S. sources briefed on the call told Axios.

Why it matters: Sunday's call was the first time Biden directly discussed the controversial judicial overhaul plan with Netanyahu. It is rare that a U.S. president weighs in on domestic issues of one of the country's closest allies.

The judicial overhaul plan, presented by the most right-wing government in Israel's history, has deepened political divisions in Israel and prompted protests, including within the ranks of the Israeli military, against Netanyahu's government.

The Biden administration has expressed concerns over what the plan will mean for Israel's democracy.

Behind the scenes: During Sunday's call, Biden urged Netanyahu to reach a compromise and get a broad consensus on judicial reforms, according to a U.S. official. 

Netanyahu told Biden that he is trying to solve the issue but needs time and space to do it, the two U.S. sources told Axios.

An Israeli official said Netanyahu told Biden he "doesn't want to fix one imbalance by creating another imbalance."

The White House and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said in an interview on Israel's Channel 13 that the purpose of Biden's call with Netanyahu was to discuss judicial reform.

State of play: After the call with Biden, Netanyahu held a meeting with the leaders of the ruling coalition parties, including Justice Minister Yariv Levin who was the key player in pushing the government’s plan to weaken the Supreme Court.

Following the meeting, Netanyahu’s office announced that most of the legislation that is part of the judicial plan would be postponed until after Passover, which takes place from April 5-13. 

But the key element of the judicial plan — changing the process of appointing judges — will be brought to a final vote by the end of the Knesset session in the first week of April.

According to the coalition plan, six out of the 11 members on the committee that appoints judges to the Supreme Court will be from the ruling coalition, giving the government full control over the process.

The coalition will be able to appoint the next two Supreme Court judges and the new president of the high court by a simple majority in the committee, the plan states.

If implemented, it will be the first time since the committee was formed in 1953 that Supreme Court judges will be appointed by only politicians from the coalition.

What they're saying: The coalition statement portrayed the decision as “a softening” of the judicial overhaul plan and called on the opposition to use the postponement of part of the legislation in order to begin a dialogue.

But the leaders of the opposition and the organizers of the anti-government protests quickly rejected the new coalition plan and claimed it was a tactical maneuver aimed at trying to kill the nationwide protests while politicizing the Supreme Court.

The attorney general also warned on Monday that the new coalition plan will politicize the Supreme Court, hamper its independence and damage the status of the president of the Supreme Court.

The White House hasn’t commented on the new coalition plan.

Scoop: Biden tells Bibi he's never seen such anxiety over Israel's political situation

Netanyahu told Biden that he is trying to solve the issue but needs time and space to do it, sources said.

Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu in March 2010. Photo: Baz Ratner-Pool/Getty Images

Israel

President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Benjamin Netanyahu" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/15/herzog-warns-israel-on-brink-of-abyss-as-he-lays-out-judicial-compromise-proposal" data-vars-content-id="26f919b0-86f0-4fa4-bbfb-9dd5c78bfabc" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden tells Bibi he&#x27;s never seen such anxiety over Israel&#x27;s political situation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/15/herzog-warns-israel-on-brink-of-abyss-as-he-lays-out-judicial-compromise-proposal" target="_self">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> in their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="call on Sunday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/19/biden-netanyahu-judicial-overhaul-phone-call" data-vars-content-id="26f919b0-86f0-4fa4-bbfb-9dd5c78bfabc" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Biden tells Bibi he&#x27;s never seen such anxiety over Israel&#x27;s political situation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/19/biden-netanyahu-judicial-overhaul-phone-call" target="_self">call on Sunday</a> that he was concerned about the Israeli government&#x27;s judicial overhaul plan because in all the years he has followed Israel, he has never seen such a high level of domestic anxiety over the political situation in the country, two U.S. sources briefed on the call told Axios.Why it matters: Sunday&#x27;s call was the first time Biden directly discussed the controversial judicial overhaul plan with Netanyahu. It is rare that a U.S. president weighs in on domestic issues of one of the country&#x27;s closest allies.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

President Biden spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday and expressed his concerns over the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul plan, a senior U.S. official told reporters. 

Why it matters: It is the first time Biden and Netanyahu have discussed the Israeli government’s controversial plan to weaken the country's Supreme Court. 

What they're saying: A senior U.S. official said in a briefing with reporters that during the call Biden expressed concerns “and said as a friend of Israel, that he hopes a broad consensus can be found around the judicial reform." 

“The call was frank and candid … they both have a lot of experience in legislation and they exchanged ideas on this issue," the U.S. official said.

In a readout after the call, the White House said that Biden "also underscored his belief that democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship, that democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support."

"The president offered support for efforts underway to forge a compromise on proposed judicial reforms consistent with those core principles," the statement added. 

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said that on the judicial plan, "Netanyahu told President Biden that Israel was and will be a strong and vibrant democracy."

Catch up quick: The judicial overhaul plan, presented by the most right-wing government in Israel's history, has created an unprecedented constitutional crisis in the country, with growing fears that the confrontation between the government and the opposition will escalate into violence and chaos.

Netanyahu last week rejected Isaac Herzog's proposal for compromise on constitutional and judicial reforms that the Israeli president had hoped would replace the overhaul plan. 

Biden told the New York Times earlier this year that any fundamental changes in Israel’s judicial system should be based on a consensus to get legitimacy from the public and be sustainable.

"The genius of American democracy and Israeli democracy is that they are both built on strong institutions, on checks and balances, on an independent judiciary," Biden said.

The big picture: During the 30-minute call, Netanyahu also briefed Biden about the shooting attack against Israeli civilians in the occupied West Bank town of Hawara earlier on Sunday, the Prime Minister’s Office said. 

“Netanyahu told Biden that Israel will continue to take action in any place against terrorists and the terror architects," the Prime Minister’s Office said. 

The two leaders also discussed Iran and efforts to broaden the Abraham Accords, which saw Israel normalize relations with several Arab countries, the Prime Minister's Office added. Netanyahu thanked Biden for his commitment to Israel’s security.

Go deeper: Blinken's civics lesson for Netanyahu

Editor's note: This story has. been updated with additional details throughout. 

Biden expresses concern over Israel's judicial overhaul in call with Bibi

It is the first time the two leaders have discussed the controversial plan to weaken Israel's Supreme Court.

Biden and Netanyahu in March 2010. Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO via Getty Images

Netanyahu and Biden in March 2010. Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO via Getty Images

Benjamin Netanyahu

Germany's Scholz urges Bibi to consider Israeli president's judicial compromise

“Democracy is not only the rule of the majority but also protecting the minority. It is very important to us."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz depart after speaking to the media following talks at the Chancellery. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that in his meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday he expressed concern over the Israeli government&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="judicial overhaul plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/29/israel-netanyahu-far-right-government-ben-gvir-smotrich" data-vars-content-id="c450ba09-ce13-46df-b264-eba1de484c70" data-vars-headline="Germany&#x27;s Scholz urges Bibi to consider Israeli president&#x27;s judicial compromise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/29/israel-netanyahu-far-right-government-ben-gvir-smotrich" target="_self">judicial overhaul plan</a> and called on the Israeli prime minister to consider a compromise proposal put together by the Israeli president. Why it matters: Germany is Israel&#x27;s second most important ally after the U.S.. Any damage to the Israeli-German relationship could have wider implications for Israel’s standing in Europe.

The Biden administration harshly criticized an Israeli law passed on Monday in the Israeli Knesset that repeals the 2005 Israeli disengagement from the northern occupied West Bank, calling it a "provocation" and a violation of commitments Israel made to the U.S. 

Why it matters: The law allows Israeli citizens to enter the area between the cities of Jenin and Nablus, which Israeli settlers evacuated in 2005. The law could dramatically increase the potential for friction between settlers and Palestinians in the most sensitive and volatile area of the occupied West Bank. 

Flashback: During the 2005 Israeli disengagement from Gaza, Israel also evacuated four settlements in the northern West Bank and banned Israelis from entering the area. 

In return, the Bush administration agreed to recognize that the big settlement blocks in the West Bank adjacent to the 1967 lines would stay part of Israel in any future peace agreement with the Palestinians.

This understanding between then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and then-President George W. Bush was enshrined in an official exchange of letters between the two governments.

Behind the scenes: The law wasn’t pushed by the government but was a private bill initiated by Yuli Adelstein, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud who is the chair of the Knesset foreign relation and security committee.

Although the bill has significant national security and foreign policy implications, the Israeli security cabinet hasn’t held any known discussions about it.

Israeli defense officials told Adelstein the Israeli military opposed the law warned of its security implications.

The Biden administration, which has been focused on the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting earlier this week and efforts to reduce tensions ahead of Ramadan and the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul, started pressing the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office hard on Monday to postpone the vote, Israeli and U.S. officials said.

At this point, it was too late to stop the vote or postpone it. A European diplomat said the U.S. and several European countries pressed the Prime Minister’s Office simultaneously, but officials were told the law is part of Netanyahu’s commitment to his coalition partners.

What they're saying: State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said at the start of the daily briefing that the Biden administration is extremely troubled by the law and the fact it could lead to the rebuilding of settlements and outposts in this area.

Patel said the law was a violation of the written commitment late Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon gave then-President Bush in 2005. He added it is a violation of the commitment the current Israeli government made just last Sunday during a security summit in Sharm el-Sheikh to refrain from taking unilateral steps that could escalate the situation in the occupied West Bank.

Patel said the law is even more problematic because of its timing – shortly before Ramadan and Passover. “This law is provocative and counterproductive to the efforts to reduce tensions ahead of Ramadan and Passover," he said.

He called on the Israeli government to refrain from allowing settlers to return to the area covered by this legislation.

What to watch: Patel told reporters the Biden administration is considering several options it could take to respond to the Israeli government policy in the West Bank.

U.S. slams new West Bank law, says it's a violation of Israeli commitments

The Biden administration called it a "provocation."

Israeli right-wing activists and settlers take part in a protest march at the West Bank outpost of Homesh in Dec. 2021. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images

The Biden administration harshly criticized an Israeli law passed on Monday in the Israeli Knesset that repeals the 2005 Israeli disengagement from the northern occupied West Bank, calling it a &quot;provocation&quot; and a violation of commitments Israel made to the U.S. Why it matters: The law allows Israeli citizens to enter the area between the cities of Jenin and Nablus, which Israeli settlers evacuated in 2005. The law could dramatically increase the potential for friction between settlers and Palestinians in the most sensitive and volatile area of the occupied West Bank.

Jordan accused far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of violating the peace agreement between the two countries after he gave a speech in Paris at a podium featuring a map that included Jordan and the occupied West Bank as part of Israel and said the Palestinian people were "an invention."  

Why it matters: Smotrich's speech increased tensions at a time when the Biden administration, Jordan and Egypt are trying to de-escalate the violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank ahead of the historically sensitive period of the holy month of Ramadan and Passover.

Several hours before Smotrich gave his speech, senior officials from the U.S., Jordan, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority met in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh to continue the diplomatic and security consultations ahead of Ramadan.

Driving the news: Smotrich spoke on Sunday in Paris at a memorial ceremony for a former far-right political activist. During his speech, he said there is no such thing as a Palestinian people.

"The people in the Elysee palace and the White House should also hear this truth," Smotrich said, claiming the Palestinian people are "an invention" of the last 100 years and saying his family members who were born in Jerusalem in the 19th century are the "real Palestinians."

"There is no such thing as a Palestinian people," he said. 

What drew a lot of attention, however, was the map on the podium from which Smotrich spoke. It showed "Greater Israel" with Jordan and the West Bank as part of Israel's borders.

The big picture: The peace agreement between Israel and Jordan ended all territorial claims each of the countries had and set the determined borders between them.

The Jordanian government is highly sensitive to any attempts by Israeli far-right politicians to claim that Jordan is Palestine or that Jordan is not a legitimate country.

What they're saying: The Jordanian Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman over Smotrich's comments.

A Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson in a statement accused Smotrich of violating the peace agreement with his speech and his appearance with the map. 

"We condemn the racist, inciting and extremist statements by the extremist Israeli minister against the Palestinian people and its right to exist," the statement said.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said Smotrich's statements were "dangerous" and called on the international community and the Israeli government to denounce them.

The Palestinian presidency called Smotrich's statement a "falsification of history and racism."

"The Palestinian people’s indigenous narrative strongly debunks Israeli fundamentalist attempts to rob Palestine and the Palestinian people of their history and forge it to make room for Israeli fabrications," the Palestinian presidency's statement said.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry tweeted on Monday that Israel is committed to the 1994 peace agreement with Jordan.

"There has been no change in the position of the State of Israel, which recognizes the territorial integrity of the Hashemite Kingdom," the tweet read. 

The tweet came after Jordanian officials pressed the Israeli government to issue a clarification over Smotrich's appearance with the "Greater Israel" map, Israeli officials said. 

Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in a tweet later Monday that he spoke to Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and assured him "of the commitment the Government of Israel has to uphold the peace treaty between our two countries which has strengthened the stability and the security of our region for nearly 30 years."

Smotrich has not commented on the Jordanian Foreign Ministry's accusation. 

Go deeper: U.S. says Israeli minister's call to wipe out Palestinian town is "disgusting"

Editor's note: This story has been updated with Hanegbi's comment. 

U.S. says Israeli minister's call to wipe out Palestinian town is "disgusting"

Jordan condemns far-right Israeli minister over "Greater Israel" map

Bezalel Smotrich spoke from a podium featuring a map that included Jordan and the occupied West Bank as part of Israel.

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on March 20. Photo: Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP via Getty Images

Jordan accused far-right Israeli Finance Minister <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bezalel Smotrich" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/09/bezalel-smotrich-state-approves-visa-hawara-palestinian" data-vars-content-id="ddc2ca32-354f-4ad8-a39e-d9fbf9d8758b" data-vars-headline="Jordan condemns far-right Israeli minister over &quot;Greater Israel&quot; map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/09/bezalel-smotrich-state-approves-visa-hawara-palestinian" target="_self">Bezalel Smotrich</a> of violating the peace agreement between the two countries after he gave a speech in Paris at a podium featuring a map that included Jordan and the occupied West Bank as part of Israel and said the Palestinian people were &quot;an invention.&quot; Why it matters: Smotrich&#x27;s speech increased tensions at a time when the Biden administration, Jordan and Egypt are trying to de-escalate the violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank ahead of the historically sensitive period of the holy month of Ramadan and Passover.

Barak Ravid

Stories

U.S. slams new West Bank law, says it's a violation of Israeli commitments

Jordan condemns far-right Israeli minister over "Greater Israel" map

Scoop: Biden tells Bibi he's never seen such anxiety over Israel's political situation

Biden expresses concern over Israel's judicial overhaul in call with Bibi

Germany's Scholz urges Bibi to consider Israeli president's judicial compromise

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Axios from Tel Aviv: Protests rock IDF

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Axios from Tel Aviv: 🇺🇦 Inside Israel’s failed mediation

Axios from Tel Aviv: Tough U.S.-Israel conversations