Normally mild-mannered opposition leader Isaac Herzog advised Diaspora Jewish leaders Tuesday to fight against the government's Western Wall decision, pleading with them to stop being polite.

Herzog spoke at an emergency session of the Knesset Caucus on Strengthening the Jewish World with Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky, American Jewish leaders spoke, and 25 Knesset members from across the political spectrum but no ultra-orthodox legislators. The meeting was organized by the chairman of the committee, Zionist Union MK Nachman Shai.

"I feel disgraced and offended by the government's decision," Herzog said. "I offer my apologies, together with many Israelis who believe there should be equality for all. It is time to work to change the course, which could undermine the strength of Israel."

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Michael Oren went further, saying: "This is a battle for Israel's soul, I'm proud to stand with US Jewish leaders, and we will win."

Union for Reform Judaism president Rabbi Rick Jacobs said the prayer area near Robinson's Arch that is currently used for egalitarian prayer was not a solution, calling it "second-class" and vowing that the non-Orthodox would not be second-class Jews.

New chairman of the Jewish Agency Board of Governors Michael Siegal promised that Diaspora Jewish leaders "won't let this issue go away" and would make sure Israel would remain "welcoming for all Jews for all time."

The head of Women of the Wall Anat Hoffman addressed the event in a prayer shawl and asked the MKs: "How can I get the Women of the Wall to believe you anymore?"

The only MK who attempted to defend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was Likud MK Avraham Neguise. When he said the Wall was not a political issue, opposition MKs led by Yesh Atid's Aliza Lavie heckled him, and said the problem was Netanyahu's fault, because he broke an agreement reached between US religious streams and haredi (ultra-Orthodox) representatives.

Lavie later led the MKs and Jewish leaders in the hymn about Jewish unity "hineh mah tov umah nayim."

Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, who Netanyahu appointed to resolve the Western Wall dispute, told the event that he saw himself as "Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible." But he ended on a note of understanding.

"There are always changes and clarifications that can be made," he said. "It's not the end of this fight. Everything is open, and don't lose hope."