Netanyahu warns against overturning controversial new law in CNN interview

Editor's Note: Wolf Blitzer's full interview with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu airs at 5pm ET on The Situation Room.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to say if he would abide by any potential Supreme Court ruling striking down his controversial judicial reform law, as Israelis agonize over a looming showdown between their government and the court.

"What you're talking about is a situation, or potential situation, where in American terms, the United States' Supreme Court would take a constitutional amendment and say that it's unconstitutional. That's the kind of the kind of spiral that you're talking about, and I hope we don't get to that," Netanyahu told CNN's Wolf Blitzer, warning that the country could enter "uncharted territory."

The law, which would limit the power of Israel's Supreme Court, is an amendment to one of Israel's Basic Laws, which exist in place of a formal constitution. It passed the Knesset on Monday despite six months of protests and rare public criticism from the White House.

The Supreme Court has said that it will hear appeals against the law in September.

Asked if he was expecting consequences from the United States for the bill's passing, Netanyahu stressed that relations remained strong between the Biden White House and his government - the most far right and religious in Israel's history.

"Look, we're both interested in blocking Iran. We're both interested in advancing peace. This is the reason I came back to serving for the sixth time as Israel's Prime Minister. I think those goals are achievable, and they're going to be achieved together between Israel and the United States. I think that will strengthen our alliances. not weaken," he said.