Israeli minister quits amid crisis

Israel’s social affairs minister has announced his resignation to be the first Labor minister who quits the cabinet amid a crisis that engulfed Israel’s coalition.

Isaac Herzog announced his resignation and called on his fellow ministers to do the same, Israeli media reported Monday.

“It’s time to stop lying to ourselves and quit this government,” said Herzog.

“I spoke to my fellow ministers and I am convinced that they will do the same, as they understand the reality very well and want to save the Labor Party,” he added.

His resignation came after Defense Minister and Labor party chairman Ehud Barak and four other Labor MPs submitted a request to quit the party and set up a new party called “Independence.”

They are expected to leave the party in order to avoid being forced out of the coalition.

The Labor Party formerly threatened to leave Netanyahu’s cabinet in the coming months if there is not serious progress toward a final-status agreement with the Palestinians.

The decision throws Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition into turmoil, as it is not clear if Labor’s eight remaining lawmakers support the coalition.