In response to Biden's comments on judicial reforms

Ben Gvir: Israel 'not another star on the American flag'

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Wednesday morning that the United States must understand that Israel is an independent country and that it is "not another star on the American flag," in response to US President Joe Biden's comments on judicial reforms in the country.

Meanwhile, Israel's Minister of Culture and Sports, Micky Zohar, accused the United States of "swaying fake news" about the judicial reform law, the Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday morning.

"My heart breaks when I see the extent of the damage done to Israel by all the fake news that has spread regarding our justified legal reform," Zohar said.

The US president said on Tuesday evening that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be invited to the White House in the near future, and urged him to abandon the judicial reform plan.

Asked if Biden would invite Netanyahu to the White House, he told reporters: "Not in the near term."

Biden criticized the controversial judicial amendments that Netanyahu halted after they sparked a wave of protests across Israel.

Biden told reporters about the health of democracy in Israel: "Like many strong supporters of Israel, I am very concerned. And I'm worried they understand this correctly. They can't continue down this path."

The US president said he hoped Netanyahu would abandon plans for judicial amendments.

Netanyahu responded on Twitter that he appreciated Biden's support, but that "Israel is a sovereign state that makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressure from outside, including from best friends."