Israeli politician Avi Moaz, an ultra-nationalist ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has resigned as deputy minister of the new government.
Avi Maoz’s departure is the first casualty for Netanyahu’s government, which has been in power since December last year after securing a parliamentary majority a month earlier.
Maoz, leader of a small ultra-nationalist political formation known for his homophobic views and for his criticism of non-Orthodox Jews, announced that he is leaving his position in the government but will continue to support the right-wing coalition in parliament.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition occupies 64 seats in a parliament (Knesset) with a total of 120 deputies.
Noam faction leader, in a letter addressed to Netanyahu on Monday, it states that it “felt there was no intention to uphold the coalition agreement” regarding a cabinet that would “strengthen Jewish identity among Israelis.”
Maoz, a resident of a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, opposes the rights of the LGTBQ community, just as he opposes the inclusion of women in the Israeli military.
Likewise, he opposes hiring teachers of Arab descent in schools in Israel.
The Noam faction, led by Maoz, ran in the last election alongside Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Zionist party Bezalel Smotrich, winning 14 seats in the Knesset, making it the third largest group.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu is preparing to introduce a series of bills that, according to the opposition, aim to weaken the Supreme Court and give politicians more power over judicial appointments.
Opponents say the proposals (judicial sector reform) threaten Israel’s democratic institutions by concentrating power in the executive branch.
Weekly protests are organized in Israel against the proposals for justice of the new right-wing government led by Netanyahu.
Source: DN
