In a Knesset discussion dealing with the effect of cancelling the Western Wall layout on Israel-Diaspora relations, MK Michael Malkieli of the Shas party said that "there are also places in the world where dogs are forbidden to enter."
Knesset members were furious.MK Michal Biran ("Zionist Camp") said, "I hope you're not comparing dogs to women!" The MK perhaps meant to protest a comparison of women to dogs.
MK Motti Yogev (Jewish Home) answered Biran, "What do you care about the Kotel? Do I go gay and lesbian clubs?"
MK Ksenia Svetlova ("Zionist Camp") said "in matters of substance, Israel belongs to the first-class elected candidates, while the rest - those who are not Orthodox - are treated as second-rate Jews.They are good only for giving us money and taking care of Israel's status in the world.
"In exactly the same way the government treats 400,000 Israelis who are good enough to pay taxes and serve in the army, but not good enough to marry in their own country," Svetlova said. Svetlova recently married in the Seychelles in order to avoid having to involve Israel’s Chief Rabbinate in her ceremony.
MK Dr. Nachman Shai ("Zionist Camp"), Chairman of the Lobby for the Strengthening of the Jewish People, who initiated the discussion on the effect of cancelling the Western Wall layout on Israel-Diaspora relations, said that "the political unrest caused by cancelling the Western Wall plan created a charged and dangerous rift and damaged one of the most sensitive tissues at the core of the close and strategic relationship between Israel and the Diaspora: trust and reciprocity.This is a Jewish issue that must be removed from the political arena.
"The government continues to receive all forms of help from world Jewry, and especially American Jewry, on matters that are important to us.BDS, antisemitism, and security.In return, we slam the door in their faces.This issue poisons our relationship.We need world Jewry and it needs us," Shai explained.