Critics say it will upend a delicate system of checks and balances and slide the country towards authoritarianism. Opponents of the measure have carried out disruptive protests, and the controversy has even embroiled the country’s military, after more than 700 elite officers from the Air Force, special forces, and intelligence agency Mossad said they would stop volunteering for duty.

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The conversation followed a meeting in Egypt between Israeli and Palestinian officials in which they pledged to take steps to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday season. Administration officials praised the outcome of the meeting in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. A joint communiqué said the sides had reaffirmed a commitment to prevent further violence.

Biden in the call “reinforced the need for all sides to take urgent, collaborative steps to enhance security coordination, condemn all acts of terrorism, and maintain the viability of a two-state solution”, according to the White House.

The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met for the second time in less than a month, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United States, to end a year-long spasm of violence.

More than 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and more than 40 Israelis or foreigners have been killed in Palestinian attacks during that time. Israel pledged to stop discussion of new settlement construction for four months, and to stop plans to legalise unauthorised settlement outposts for six months.

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“The two sides agreed to establish a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement and inflammatory states and actions,” the communiqué said. The sides would report on progress at a follow-up meeting in Egypt next month, it added.

The Biden administration remains concerned about a repeat of the nightly clashes and other violent incidents between Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem during Ramadan two years ago. Clashes at the Temple Mount in 2021 helped trigger an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not pray there. But in recent years, the number of visitors has grown, with some quietly praying. Such scenes have raised fears among Palestinians that Israel is trying to alter the status quo at the site.