Labor Party files criminal complaint against Netanyahu

"I want to give you [ministers] a fist to strike at them [protestors against judicial reform]," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in the cabinet meeting

Israel's opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is seen gesturing at the Knesset, on July 26, 2021. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Israel's opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is seen gesturing at the Knesset, on July 26, 2021.
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

The Labor Party filed a police complaint on Saturday night against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded that an investigation be opened into his "inciting statements" at a Friday cabinet meeting, according to Israeli media. 

"I want to give you [ministers] a fist to strike at them [protestors against judicial reform]," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in the cabinet meeting, according to a report by Channel 12.

The remarks in question were made amid widespread societal division in Israel over the controversial judicial reforms, which have seen massive protests held all over the country, but especially in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Merav Michaeli: "Last time we ignored his incitement, it led to murder"

"The most dangerous thing is to see incitement right before your eyes and to snap and move our head to the other side" and look away, Labor leader Merav Michaeli said.

"Last time, we ignored his incitement and it ended in murder. This time, we won't let it happen again."

"Last time we ignored his incitement and it ended in murder. This time, we won't let it happen again."

Merav Michaeli
 Labor leader Merav Michaeli is seen at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on June 13, 2022. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Labor leader Merav Michaeli is seen at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on June 13, 2022. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

The Labor Party leader further called on the general public to join Labor and file complaints to the police, since Netanyahu's words to her "seem like a call to action against the protesters in the most important struggle in Israel's history."