Netanyahu fires Lapid, Livni from ministerial posts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday fired 'Justice' Minister Tzipi Livni and Finance Minister Yair Lapid, amid the imminent breakup of the coalition and dissolution of the Knesset ahead of new elections.

“In recent weeks, ministers Lapid and Livni attacked harshly the government I head,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his Office.

“I will no longer tolerate an opposition within the government. I will not tolerate ministers who, from within the government, attack government policies and the person who leads the government,” he added.

The Yesh Atid party responded to Lapid’s dismissal, saying that Netanyahu’s “haphazard move of firing the ministers is an act of cowardice and loss of control.”