Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin NetanyahuYonatan Sindel/Flash90

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the protest movement against his government's judicial reform bill and harshly attacked the protesters during a cabinet meeting on Friday.

According to Channel 12, Netanyahu told the ministers during the meeting: "I want to give you a fist to strike them with."

Netanyahu reportedly added: "The same people who protested against the gas deal and the Covid vaccines - they are the same people who are protesting now. Just like they said that the gas deal will do damage - they are saying the reform will do damage. We have to strike down the lies."

Netanyahu's office published a clarification: "When the Prime Minister used the word 'strike,' he meant to strike down the false claims of those who are trying to spread panic, not to strike anyone physically."