MK David (Dudi) Amsalem (Likud) has launched a verbal tirade against the opposition parties and those demonstrating on the streets to protest the government's proposed judicial reforms.
"Left-wingers are the most violent, deceitful thugs in the country, and we are going to push these legal reforms through to the end," Amsalem said. "That is the task of this government."
Referring to Monday's demonstration outside the Knesset in which tens of thousands of people participated, he said, "Look at the anarchy you're creating. You're a gang of thugs, inciting to rebellion. David Hodek said to shoot; who do you want to shoot? Me? My children? We're going to complete this legal revolution regardless of your rage, and anyone who breaks the law will sit in jail."
Amsalem also noted that, "Former IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said that he would give an order not to report for reserve service. And these are the people who are supposedly protecting us and working [for the country]. Well, I have something to tell you. I also work, me, and another two-and-a-half million people, we all work for the country, even though it's quite true that most of us work for you, cleaning your houses and gardens. I saw a lot of things glistening at the demonstration, and later I realized it was the Rolex watches worn by the protesters. Just go and see how many Mercedes they have."
Amsalem presented the battle as one "between the elites," saying that, "You're prepared to give us degrees and even cars, but not to allow us to rule. You never granted us that: not in the security forces, not in the judicial system, not in academia, not in culture, and certainly not in the Supreme Court and the State Prosecution Service. And in the Prisons Service, do you know who the wardens are? Moroccans and Druze."
In conclusion, Amsalem, who is headed for the Justice Ministry as a junior minister, addressed former Knesset Speaker MK Mickey Levy (Yesh Atid), with whom he has clashed multiple times in the past. "At the meeting of the Knesset Constitution Committee there were people jumping on the tables. You're allowed to kick and bite, run red lights and run over people, but Amsalem confines himself to words. You should be ashamed of yourselves. And you should start getting used to the idea that you're in the opposition."