Amsalem claimed that he never drank vodka in the Knesset, documentation caught him with another bottle

After the embarrassing discussion at the Likud faction meeting , in which Knesset member Tali Gottlieb turned to Minister Dodi Amsalem and said: "Don't turn to me, you smell the vodka you're drinking all the way here", the latter came up on the plenum stage this evening (Monday) and responded to the controversial incident.

Amsalem said: "The Likud is a democratic party, everyone can say what they think, no one stops them, they just need a little way. Mrs. Gottlieb as usual, you know her, doesn't let anyone talk, always screams, shouts, invents and also drinks. So that's why I told her – let us have a discussion, and you can't go outside, you don't have to."

"As you know, the Likud faction conducts itself just like any meeting in the Knesset, whoever disturbs its members is kicked out. You know the lady, you know her truths, you also know what she said about all kinds of people, people in the security establishment recently, so judge the people of Israel, I think that she brings to the Likud with her conduct, not her opinions, it is not important, with her conduct a lot of damage and a lot of incorrect discourse, which disturbs all members of the faction," he added.

"I have never drunk vodka in my life, today I drank Nes coffee and espresso. Mila was a deserter, let's say" – Minister Dodi Amsalem responds to allegations against him by MK Tali Gottlieb, and says about her: "Ms. Gottlieb as usual – she doesn't give in to anyone, she always screams , shouts, invents and also lies". @netanyahu @dudiamsalem @TallyGotliv @Likud_Party pic.twitter.com/xyeSWLjzuA

— Knesset Channel (@KnessetT) February 5, 2024

"So that's why, as far as I'm concerned, I don't feel the need to continue talking to her and turn to her, and it's a shame that it happened. But I assume and I hope that she will know, do some soul-searching with herself, her conduct in the Knesset. Derech Eretz came before the Torah, certainly when having a discussion with 30 members Faction, everyone has their own time to speak, and not to disturb their friends. This is the lady, and you already know her. That's the story."

"But she increased to do and suddenly she says to me 'I smell the vodka from your mouth', understand. She tells me, A. You have never drunk vodka, today I drank Nes coffee and espresso, Mila was a deserter, the lady, understand at what level she screams,' I'm smelling the vodka from your mouth'. Come on, you tell me, and she brazenly comes up here and tries to call me a 'misogynist'."

In the meantime, journalist Akiva Novik published a photo of Minister Amsalem, next to Knesset member David Bitan, with both of them drinking whiskey inside the Knesset building.

This powerful photo was taken by Michael Shemesh. All day I was upset that they didn't give him credit in Shukom, then because of a mistake I didn't either. So huge credit to @shemeshmicha pic.twitter.com/ExtLjPYqOH

— Akiva Novick (@akivanovick) December 22, 2016