Condemnations poured in after MK Merav Michaeli (Zionist Union) suggested that the government raise children, not their biological parents.
A video recently surfaced of Michaeli telling a panel in Australia in September that "the core family as we know it is one of the least safe places for children - not just in Australia but in the entire western world." Michaeli went on to cite different studies she contended proved that the core family was detrimental to children's health and added that "marriage and parental rights hurts children".
Michaeli also said that children should not be automatically raised by their parents, but by the government.
"This is incomprehensible," tweeted MK Bezalel Smotrich (Jewish Home). Pointing out that Michaeli is childless, Smotrich said that Michaeli's words "could only come from someone who never experienced parenthood and a family".
MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) concurred. "It seems that something really obvious needs to be said. A warm family is the best place for a young child," tweeted Glick.
Journalist Erez Tadmor also harshly criticized Michaeli. "It should frighten everyone to think that this Marxist might one day be Welfare Minister," he said. "For years, the Left has been whining about a danger to democracy but they will never be able to copy what this madwoman Michaeli is doing. She wants the government to decide whether you can raise your children."
"She would have your children seized because you didn't meet the criteria written by a committee of disturbed politicos like herself."
Michaeli is known for her progressive views on family issues, among other things. On Monday, Michaeli tweeted support for an article published in Yediot Aharonot that called for the government to take control over children's education from their parents.
"Children are our future, and the future of our society and country," Michaeli tweeted. "They are not a private issue."
"Enough with the neglect! It's time the government invest in our children accordingly. I have already proposed several laws regarding equal parental leave of one year after a baby is born. I have already pushed for a longer school day. The proposal to protect children and their parents is on its way. This is our most important investment."
The law Michaeli referred to is an amendment to the Mandatory Education Law submitted in 2015. The amendment, if passed, would mandate free education for all children over the age of three months.
Michaeli is also a fierce opponent of the institution of marriage and has advocated for its abolishment. In 2012, she gave a TED talk on the issue, where she told the audience that marriage was responsible for the abuse of women. "We must cancel marriage," said Michaeli. "Not only religious marriage, marriage is not an issue of religion. Also civil marriage. I want all secular states to totally eliminate all registration and regulation of marriage. I want to cancel the very concept of marriage."