Israeli Minister: Send Street Dogs and Cats Abroad!

An Israeli minister who was present during last month's tumultuous visit of a group of extremists to Al-Aqsa Mosque has now faced a wave of backlash from animal rights supporters after proposing to send street cats from Israel abroad. The attacks on this minister are such that the most prominent animal rights advocate has told him: "The crisis of the Holy Temple is not enough that you want to expel the oppressed cats from this land as well." This controversial minister, who has been targeted by Israeli social media users, is Uri Ariel, who supports the relocation of cats abroad and has a long history of inciting Palestinian anger even before taking office. The newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" published a letter signed by Uri Ariel on Monday, November 11, proposing the "relocation of dogs and especially street cats to foreign countries"! Uri Ariel, who is the Minister of Agriculture in Benjamin Netanyahu's government, wrote in his letter to "Avi Gabay," the Minister of Environment, that instead of neutering all these street dogs and cats, which is costly, expelling them is easier; "Use the budget for research to prevent the increase in the number of pets, for example, conduct research on which spray or powder or ointment can prevent male dogs and cats from smelling female dogs and cats!" Of course, Uri Ariel has justified his letter from his position as an "animal supporter," but he added another reason; in his belief, "neutering street cats prevents them from breeding, which is against nature and God's command; so we should expel them so that we do not act against God's will." He also added in his official letter to transfer both female and male dogs and cats at once! Mr. Ariel also wrote that of course, "a country must be found that would kindly accept these animals." The revelation of this letter has sparked outrage among animal rights supporters. Ms. Orna Ben-Ami, a television and theater comedy artist, whose ancestors are also Iranian, stated that Uri Ariel "has recently played a significant role in creating the current security crisis in the country by going to Al-Aqsa, and it would be good for him to keep his mouth shut." Ms. Ben-Ami told Ariel that he wanted to go to this place to "revive the Temple Mount," but we, with human compassion, "will build the sacred home of animals." Tzipi Livni, the leader of the opposition party "Movement" and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, also angrily responded to Ariel, posting a photo of herself playing with her white and black cats on Facebook, stating that she prefers to have a foreign passport and be with her cats. Uri Ariel is from the "Jewish Home" party led by Naftali Bennett; a party whose leader and its justice minister member, Ayelet Shaked, have displayed extreme views in many areas. This party is part of Netanyahu's government coalition, relying on support from citizens whose views have become more right-wing in recent years.