Local Editor

The so-called "Israeli" environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz held a press conference Sunday following his resignation from the Zionist entity's government and elaborated on the reasons behind his decision to resign from the government:

"Netanyahu and I are two political figures who have been standing on opposing sides for many years," Peretz said.

His resignation came as tensions in "Israel" and the coalition were at a record high, with "Israeli" Prime Minister Netanyahu sparing with centrist Finance Minister Yair Lapid over the shooting of a Arab youth by the police.

Peretz, a member of the Hatnua party, resignation is not expected to lead his party to leave the government, but does not bode well for Netanyahu.

"We have different views regarding the political and economic fields. Recently, he returned to his polarizing statements. I will do all I can to build an alternative to Netanyahu," the departing minister said.

Recently, Peretz stated that "Netanyahu's hourglass has run out," and that he could not sit in a government that encourages the use of inflammatory language instead of working to calm the situation.

Before the current Knesset session began, Ynet reported that Netanyahu could be laying the groundwork for an early election in a bid to consolidate his power.

On Sunday, the departing minister said that he had "made the decision to join Netanyahu's government to give it a chance, so I could tell myself that contrary to the claims made about me - that I rejected him due to personal, and not ideological reasons - I decided to give him a chance."

"Benjamin Netanyahu has been using the same statements he has used throughout the entire period of his political life for a long time - statements that are polarizing, that indicate a lack of any chance of reaching an agreement. I call on all political figures to unite in order to offer an alternative. Netanyahu is not the solution - he is the problem."
Peretz also said he would not support the "Israeli" budget, which is to be tabled for approval on Monday.

Peretz announced his intention to resign on Meet the Press on Saturday, following which reports arose that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was considering firing Peretz ahead of the vote on the budget.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team