Biden And Netanyahu Break The Ice, With Invitation To Washington

US President Joe Biden has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau to Washington for an official visit, the White House and the prime minister's office said Monday.

The move announced after a phone conversation between the two leaders marks a shift in US - Israeli relations as most Israeli prime ministers had already received an invitation to the White House this far into their terms.

The two leaders shared a "long and warm" conversation, the Israeli statement said, focused on curbing threats from Iran and its proxies and strengthening the alliance between the two countries.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “The two consulted on our close coordination to counter Iran, including through regular and ongoing joint military exercises. They noted that U.S. that the US-Israel partnership remains a cornerstone in preventing Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon."

Netanyahu told the US President he would try to form "broad public consensus" on controversial legislation in Israel that would see its highest court stripped of much of its powers.

President Biden and his administration have voiced concern over Netanyahu’s government plans to overhaul the judicial system taking away some of the powers of unelected judges. This has led to a serious split among the public, with months of large protests by those opposing the plan.

Kirby said, "We believe strongly in the democratic institutions and the ideals of democracy that the United States and Israel represent, not just in their particular parts of the world, but across the world. And we want to see Israel be as vibrant and as viable democracy as possible.”