Bentzi Gopstein
Bentzi GopsteinYonatan Sindel, Flash 90

Opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog (Zionist Union) has laid strong criticism against Lehava head Bentzi Gopstein, after the latter commented on the death of former Minister Yossi Sarid by writing "When the wicked perish there is glad song."

"Bentzi Gopstein is a dangerous thug with a keyboard who demeans the Judaism in whose name he boasts," says MK Herzog.

"On rare occasions the border between free speech on one side and incitement and violence on the other shows through so clearly in a character and a movement that must immediately be banned."

According to Herzog, Israeli democracy must protect itself from Gopstein and his followers in Lehava.

"His response to the death of Yossi Sarid, a democrat, leader and thinker of the highest level, is only one example of the depths to which Gopstein reaches. It is so deep that there's no reason for the State of Israel to continue permitting it."