Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized on Wednesday the anti-government protesters calling for a hostage release deal, many of whom descended on Jerusalem amid a day of protests.
"In a democracy, demonstrations are legitimate," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "But what is happening in the organized, political protests against the government is that they have crossed every line. They said they would surround my home, the Prime Minister's residence, with a ring of fire – just like fascist militias."
In his remarks, the prime minister referred to the conduct of the police and the judicial system toward the protesters.
"What's happening here is simple – there is no enforcement, and when there is no enforcement, there is escalation," he said. "Where is the enforcement? It doesn't exist."
"This isn't selective enforcement – there is no enforcement at all," he added. "And this must change. That is what I demand from the law enforcement authorities. That is what the people of Israel demand in order to preserve democracy here."
