Netanyahu accuses opposition of ‘sowing anarchy in the streets’

More from Netanyahu’s speech at the Knesset:

The prime minister says that “in a democracy the people are sovereign, and the people demand that its free vote in the polling booths be practically carried out in decisions, appointments, policies.

“That does not mean that the government has unlimited power,” he says, “but it cannot be that the government has zero power… There must be a balance between the branches of government.”

He accuses the opposition of “sowing anarchy in the streets.”

It is permitted to demonstrate, he says, but then adds, “We see your demonstrations, your roadblocks, your bonfires, your attacks on police officers… the violence against elected officials, not to mention the explicit threats of murder against the prime minister and his family and other elected officials.”

In the past, he says, amid shouting and protest from the opposition, “you said it was forbidden to even use certain words like ‘murder’ and ‘traitor’; that those were terrible things to say. Now it doesn’t matter [to you]. But it does matter, and it’s dangerous.”

Nonetheless, he vows, “It won’t stop us, it won’t deter us. The tyranny of the small minority will not triumph over the will of the great majority.”