Netanyahu addresses the rally

Netanyahu takes the stage to address the tens of thousands of activists.

He thanks the crowds for attending, for coming “from all corners of the country.”

Netanyahu praises the “Jewish spirit, the Zionist spirit, our spirit” at the rally.

He says he came here “as the prime minister of the entire nation, of those who don’t agree with me, and those who do agree with me, and there are many, many.”

Netanyahu says he respects all, will ensure the security of all.

He asks everyone to keep the political discussion civil, “without incitement, without violence, without provocations.”

Netanyahu criticizes the remarks at the left-wing rally last week, at which the “amulet kissers” — and later the “mezuzah-kissers” — were derided.

“I want to ask what’s wrong with kissing a mezuzah? Since when is it a sin? Yes, we keep traditions.”

Netanyahu says he will keep Jerusalem united, which “is not the way of the left,” and pledges to increase construction in the capital.

The prime minister says Livni condemned the decision to build in Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem.

“And I ask, if Jews can’t build in Jerusalem, where can they build?”

He quotes Herzog saying Jerusalem will serve as the capital for the Jews and Palestinians.

“Now they’re trying to hide it. But this is their real position.”

Netanyahu promises that in the face of “the greatest pressures, we are presenting the truth of the Jewish people,” just like he did in Congress, he says.