The Knesset held a stormy debate over a statement by the Arab director of the publicly funded film Ajami to the affect that the film did not represent Israel at the recent Oscars. The discussion caused agitation among both Jewish and Arab Knesset members.

Kadima MK Carmel Shamah told the plenum that "those who do not want to represent the State of Israel, the State of Israel would prefer that they do represent her. Only an insane country lacking honor would use public funds to pay for a fifth column. It appears now that a fifth column is originating not only in radical mosques and being financed by the axis of evil, but its also being created in our own film studios and being financed by each of us."