MK Benny Begin (Likud) on Sunday fired back at controversial rapper Yoav Eliasi, also known by the stage name Hatzel, after the latter attacked Begin’s family in a radio interview last week.

“The Likud is allowed to defend itself against a hostile entry of nationalistic thuggery,” Begin told Army Radio. “Anyone who loves his people can live in peace with other people. That’s how a nationalistic liberal movement operates.”

He added that registering in the Likud is “not an entry ticket to an amusement park. Joining the party should be approved.”

Begin also rejected Hatzel’s claims in last week’s interview with Kol Yisrael radio that his son demonstrated against the separation fence in Bil’in.

“They when they said that my son, Avinadav, thew rocks at IDF soldiers as he demonstrated in Bil’in against the separation fence. He was protesting for a just cause, because an injustice was caused there,” said Begin.

Eliasi’s scathing attack on Begin was a response to the latter’s criticism of Eliasi’s announcement on Wednesday that he had joined the Likud party.

The Likud party condemned Hatzel’s attack on Begin, saying on Thurday, “There is no place for an attack against MK Benny Begin, a man with many merits and who has contributed greatly to the State of Israel, the people of Israel and the Likud movement.”

Earlier on Sunday, Likud Minister Tzachi Hanegbi wrote a letter to Likud CEO Gadi Arieli demanding that Hatzel not be allowed to join the party.

“Hatzel disrespects the Likud, makes fun of it and demeans it, and wants to impose his views on the movement by hostile takeover. Accepting his request to be admitted as a member of the party will cause the Likud great public damage,” explained Minister Hanegbi in the letter.