Far-right party chief quits role in Netanyahu government

Avi Maoz cited a failure to uphold coalition agreements but said he would continue to serve as a coalition lawmaker in parliament.

Avi Maoz, leader of the far-right Noam party, resigned from his position as deputy minister in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government on Monday.

Maoz, who had been tasked with external teaching and partnerships under in the Education Ministry, said he resigned after realizing that the there was “no intention to uphold the coalition agreement” regarding the creation of a Jewish National Identity Authority.

Maoz is the first politician to resign from his role in the government, which was sworn in just two months ago, but he promised to continue serving as a coalition lawmaker in parliament where he will support the government’s legislative agenda, including the judicial overhaul.

The appointment of Maoz caused a huge uproar among opposition lawmakers and high schools in Israel due to his history of homophobia and intention to increase ultra-orthodox “values” in the educational system, which he said had been targeted by “radical, progressive brainwashing”.

Maoz also opposes women in combat positions, supports legalising gender segregation at public events, and has warned against the influence of Arab teachers in Jewish high schools.