There was growing outcry on Monday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused protesters against the judicial overhaul of “joining forces with the PLO and Iran” in their activities, which he framed as being against Israel rather than the actions of his hardline government.

Netanyahu made the contentious comments as he departed for his long-awaited trip to the United States. Protesters against the coalition’s attempts to curb the judiciary’s oversight powers have vowed to hound Netanyahu on his travels and during his scheduled meetings.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid slammed Netanyahu’s comments, saying it was the actions of the government that were aiding the country’s enemies.

“There is no person who has destroyed our image in the world more than Netanyahu in recent months,” the Yesh Atid leader said. “Nothing helps the Iranians more than the [judicial] coup d’état of his government. His accusations against the patriots of the protest is more proof of the serious disruption to his judgment and understanding of reality.”

National Unity leader Benny Gantz said the premier was causing “tremendous damage” to the country, and no amount of speeches at the United Nations would be able to repair it.

“Netanyahu’s attack, accusing the protesters in the US of colluding with our enemies, is grave and worthy of all condemnation,” Gantz said.

“Even if we disagree on the course of action, we are talking about patriots, lovers of the country. Even a thousand fiery speeches at the United Nations will not repair the tremendous damage that Netanyahu is causing to Israeli society with his conduct. It’s time to stop the coup d’état and bring order to the government, instead of blaming the protesters,” he said.

Yisrael Beytenu chief Avigdor Liberman attacked the premier for “shameless lies.”

“The friend of Iran and the PLO is none other than you yourself, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu. You are the one who is dismantling Israeli society from within, you are the one who proves to all of us every day that you act solely in accordance with your personal interests, even if it means that the country will burn down,” Liberman said.

Labor party leader Merav Michaeli drew a parallel between Netanyahu’s comments and past accusations that he encouraged incitement that led to the assassination of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, or at the very least contributed to the incendiary political climate in the run up to the murder. Netanyahu has rejected such claims.

“Netanyahu has built his entire........

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