Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has given a warning following the banning of the Islamic Movement's northern branch.
"Democracy must protect itself, it must defend itself against those who want to undermine it," said Prime Minister Netanyahu. "The northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel seeks to undermine the state. The movement incites to violence against innocent civilians, builds strong relations with the terror organization Hamas, and undermines the state in order to replace it with an 'Islamic caliphate.'"
He continued: "As the one who is responsible for the security of the state, I will not allow this and so the Cabinet, under my authority, has decided to ban the northern branch of the Islamic movement.
"We have nothing against Islam, we have nothing against Muslim citizens of Israel, who enjoy fully equal rights, the large majority of whom uphold the law. But we will continue to act against inciters, against the supporters of terror, wherever they are. Our goal is to prevent incitement that leads to harming innocents. Our goal is to defend the State of Israel. This is the duty of any responsible leadership and it is my duty."