Tourism Minister Asaf Zamir resigned from the government Friday, saying he doesn't have an "ounce of trust" in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and accusing him of putting his personal and legal issues ahead of the response to the coronavirus crisis.
Zamir will be replaced by Orit Farkash Hacohen, a fellow member of Blue and White, a party spokeswoman said.
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"I can no longer sit in a government led by a person in whom I don't trust whatsoever," Zamir tweeted. "I have unfortunately determined that the coronavirus crisis and its terrible impact is, at best, second on the PM's list of priorities. Personal and legal considerations are at the top of Netanyahu's priorities."
Likud, which forged a coalition government with Blue and White in May after a close election, called Zamir's resignation an attempt to shore up support from liberal Israelis angry with the premier.
"Blue and White are sitting in a government while working against the government. It is time for them to decide whether to fight the disease, or fight the government," Likud said on Twitter.
One Likud slammed Zamir's decision to step down, accusing him of playing politics at a time when Netanyahu is "fighting around the clock in order to save the lives and the livelihoods of Israeli citizens."
"Blue and White needs to decide if they are working in unison within the government in fighting the coronavirus or if they are continuing to create chaos within the government and therefore harm the necessary actions for the sake of Israeli citizens," he said.
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