In an interview on Radio 103FM, MK Tzvika Fogel (Otzma Yehudit) insisted that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is right to demand that police arrest protesters who riot and block roads. "Absolutely. You all claim to believe in equality and you constantly point out how vital it is to treat everyone equally. Itamar Ben-Gvir says, first of all, that he is in favor of demonstrations, but that every demonstration has to be conducted in a similar manner. I think this is the right approach."
Regarding protesters who break out of their permitted areas and spread out onto the roads, Fogel said: "If they exceed the scope of the permit, what do you want? You think that they should be allowed to violate everything? Have we lost all restraint? All the laws? Inconceivable.”
“Demonstrations are important; we learn from demonstrations," Fogel added. "Democracy is very important, but let's keep it within limits. If we lose control, do you see where Gantz and Lapid want to take us? I know of quite a few very senior police officers who openly admit that there is a very clear difference between the way they police protests in Jerusalem and the way they police them in Tel Aviv. I don't know why; I'm just relating to the end result."
"What is that difference?" the interviewer then asked, and Fogel explained: "It's about the amount of force that police use to restrain those who violate the terms of their permit. That’s all. Why do you think that's strange? Ben-Gvir does not want to apply a heavy hand. All he wants is the same treatment for all demonstrators regardless of where the protest takes place. Everyone should be required to obey the law. But just keep in mind that we have been in power for just eight days. We are discussing issues of great importance and trying to deal with everything at once, and it's not simple."
Fogel then turned to the opposition parties. "There are two whiners standing on the sidelines and trying to incite a rebellion in Israel," he said. "For the past week, Lapid and Gantz have been trying to hide their failures using all the excuses they can muster. Aharon Barak, the Law of Return, women wearing hats, international relations - everything is just to hide all the evil they left behind, all the damage. But no smoke screen can suffice to cover up the magnitude of the leadership failures of these two."
In closing, Fogel referred to his goals as chairman of the National Security Committee: "We are determined to enact new police regulations. Many things need to be taken care of. Many things need to be addressed. One incident that I want to study in detail is the Gilboa prisoner escape, to ensure that such a case does not recur. I have a lot of work to do, and it is only for the benefit of the State of Israel. We will return the country to the path of sanity."