Leftist diplomats are not happy with Lieberman, and the rest of the right-wing coalition. They are trying to assert their influence against the democratically elected government.

The tourist minister was busy shopping for the items that his wife wrote on his shopping list. Representing the state of israel was a secondary concern.

In Toledo cathederal - where scores of Jews were forcefully baptized? In the place where Jewish blood was cheaper than water? That's not diplomacy; that's a total lack of self respect.

And Israel wonders why their public relations stinks? THis is a prime example as to why.

"A little power corrupts a little bit..."

one word DISGUSTING.

should be removed/fired or resign on his own. what kind of behavior is this???????? Bibi can you tolerate this and then the way Danny Ayaylon BEHAVED a week before with the TURKS???? This is 100% total embarrassment to the State of Israel. This NEVER was before (i know from experience) and this is behavior that is uncalled for in the MFA - or ANY minister representing Israel.

no words can decribe his actions. he should be dismissed RIGHT AWAY. Who is paying for his trip??? his hotel?????Who is he representing???????????????? Shame to ISRAEL

I hope there is a complete inquiry into this episode because someone is extremely rude - either the minister or the ambassador. While I love much about Israel and will defend it to the dealth, the level of rudeness is disgraceful and seems to permeate the society.

What do you expect when a person who is not an experienced diplomat that has no training or qualifications for the job, but is a political apointee! It is time that ministers be qualified for the positions they hold!

Israeli's and Jews from around the world visit sites of terrible Holocaust atrocities - from visiting death camps in Aushwitz to convening Israeli ministers in Berlin - and these visits barely rase an eyebrow. Why should there be dismay in a visit to a church where Jews were historically coerced into converting or killed in mass numbers? Sephardi blood is not cheaper than Ashkenazi blood - but it does seem to be less of an attraction.

Orly, Jewish blood is the same, and it's precious - no matter Ashkenazi or Sefardic. That's not the point - when we go to those killing sites of Amalek - whether in Germany, Poland, Ukraine, etc - it's mostly to the memorials or to have a moment of silence at the places where our families were turned into the heap of ashes or into a smoke coming from the crematorium. However - we visit those places as individuals. Not as the Gedolim of the Jewish State. Delegation to the Holocaust memorials - when visited by the State officials - always bear the same idea - Never again and commemorating the murdered. Why would he wanted to visit the church - beats me. There is no memorial there for the forcibly coverted Jews. A bunch of marble or gypsum idols, perhaps.. He could've planned going to the Juderia - and vist one (or two?) remaining synagogues there (converted to churches..) At least - I, persoanlly, would see a reason for that.

.......it would appear that Lieberman's tenure as Foreign Minister is really not living up to any expectations at all. The gross embarrassment with the Turkish ambassador recently, now the Spanish and also the behaviour of his staff with Angela Merkel. Does he want to ostracize all of Israel's allies? Those who have no appreciation of the meaning of the word "diplomacy" shouldn't be working in or on behalf of the Foreign Ministry as they are just damaging Israel's international relations which are at best fragile anyway. I shudder to think what could happen during Berlusconi's visit this week............

Church is simple: We are talking about tourism ministers. And churches belong into the museum category for most tourists . But that M. behaves that way is a disgrace. He should quit at once. I don´t mind Liebermann playing the bully, but the rest of the government has to behave like diplomats.

Stas Misezhnikov is a Yisrael Beitenu MK