JERUSALEM
Four ministers from Israel's centrist Yesh Atid party have resigned from the coalition government after Prime Minister Benjamin sacked the party's leader Yair Lapid as finance minister.
In a statement, the party said that its four remaining ministers had tendered their resignation in solidarity with Lapid who was dismissed by Netanyahu along with justice minister Tzipi Livni of Hatnua party.
Aside from Lapid, Yesh Atid's cabinet members were Education Minister Shai Piron, Health Minister Yael German, Welfare and Social Services Minister Meir Cohen and Science Minister Yaakov Perry.
The development came shortly after Netanyahu called early election, just after firing Lapid and Livni while citing their "constant criticism" aimed him and his government.
"Urgent elections are not a good thing but a government that can't govern and has ministers acting against it from within is worse many times over," Netanyahu told a press conference on Tuesday.
"We need to hold quick elections and form a new government, united and strong," he added.
Netanyahu's coalition government has faced cracks in recent weeks over a host of issues, including the Jewish State law, which is backed by Netanyahu and opposed by Lapid and Livni.
Other points of disagreement include items with the state budget as well as Lapid's refusal to impose taxes on apartments for young couples.
Israeli law allows the prime minister to dismiss members of his cabinet if they cause the government to grind to a halt.
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