Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev responded harshly Monday to the accusatory speech given by President Reuven Rivlin at the opening of the Knesset's winter session.
Rivlin slammed the government for attempting to weaken the Supreme Court and attacking the media, the "gatekeepers of democracy." He aimed thinly veiled criticism at the prime minister, with whom he does not get along.
"[We have] a president who scorns politicians, belittles the will of the people and harms the heart of democracy," Regev said. "Rivlin attacked the state today in a way no president before him ever did."
"It's strange to hear this from someone who has served for many years as a politician and has recently been elected president by politicians. In his speech today, the president showed a lack of gratitude to those who elected him," she added.
MK Nava Boker (Likud) also criticized Rivlin, saying, "The borders have been blurred, the checkpoints have been breached, and unfortunately the president of the state, who is supposed to be a model of statesmanship, delivered a political speech."
"Absurdly, he still complains that 'there is a lack of statesmanship in Israel. He is better off dealing with pardons rather than politics," she added. Israel's president has the authority to pardon prisoners.