Israeli Politician Faces Backlash After Comparing Anti-Government Protesters to Hamas

Likud Member of Knesset (MK) Nissim Vaturi, who serves as deputy speaker of Knesset, sparked outrage after suggesting that anti-government protesters are akin to a branch of Hamas terrorist group. Speaking to Kol Brama rio station, Vaturi stated, “re are a few branches of Hamas — fighting branch of wicked terrorists who murder children, and branch of protests.”

controversial comments came after a night of clashes between police and protesters in Jerusalem. Demonstrators demanding early elections marched towards prime minister’s residence, breaking through barrices.

Vaturi's remarks sparks outrage 

Vaturi's remarks drew swift condemnation from both opposition and coalition lawmakers. Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar, also from Likud, criticized statement without naming Vaturi directly, saying such comments “deepen enormous rift that exists in our nation.” Education Minister Yoav Kisch, anor Likud member, echoed this sentiment, calling comparison unfounded and urging, “We must remember that we are brors.”

Liked should have fired him, says Yair Lapid 

Opposition figures were equally critical. Yesh Atid MK Karine Elharrar described Vaturi’s comment as “dangerous and irresponsible.” National Unity chairman Benny Gantz wrote on X that “ deputy speaker of Knesset proved again this morning that he has no understanding or respect for democracy”. Israeli oppositon leer Yair Lapid said that “ demonstrators are IDF soldiers and officers, y are Israeli economy, y are teachers and doctors, y are Zionism in its embodiment”. 

According to a report from Times of Israel, Lapid went on to d that “Nissim Vaturi, on or hand, is a man full of hatred whose inflammatory words are used by Israel’s enemies in a lawsuit in Hague. Likud should have fired him this morning from position of deputy speaker of Knesset”. 

In an attempt to clarify his stance, Vaturi took to X, claiming that his comments h been taken out of context. He wrote that while protests “harm our national resilience,” actions of Hamas “are not fit to be compared to any protest or political act.” incident has intensified alrey heated political climate, highlighting deep divisions within Israeli society and government’s struggle to dress ongoing protests.