Netanyahu tells Herzog to ‘apologize immediately’ for virus comparison

Responding to opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog’s comment, in which he called illegal outposts, or potentially the entire settlement movement, a “virus,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses shock at the terminology and calls for the Labor leader to apologize, in a statement posted to Twitter.

“I can’t believe Herzog used the term ‘virus’ in connection with settlers. They are flesh of our flesh, serve in the army, contribute to the country. Bouji, apologize immediately,” Netanyahu writes, using Herzog’s nickname.

This morning, Herzog spoke on Army Radio, joining the chorus of politicians voicing opposition to a bill that aims to stave off a demolition order against the Amona outpost, which was slated to be evacuated two years ago, along with other illegal settlements.

“I understand the pain of the families [but] you were given two years to evacuate. Look what this virus is doing to Israel and how dangerous it is to our democracy,” said Herzog, who heads the Zionist Union Knesset faction.