As talk of elections increase, Israeli Prime Minister decided to fire Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni.
‘’'I won't tolerate ministers attacking from within the government the government's policies and its leader,' Netanyahu said.
He instructed the cabinet secretary to issue termination letters to the two senior ministers, citing constant criticism aimed at him and his government.
"In recent weeks, including the last 24 hours, Ministers Lapid and Livni harshly attacked the government I'm heading. I won't tolerate any more opposition within the government, I won't tolerate ministers attacking from within the government the government's policies and its leader," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu will call for the dissolution of the Knesset as soon as possible in order to go to elections and "receive a clear mandate from the people to lead Israel."
Amid the confusion created following the announcement, the four other Yesh Atid party ministers said they were considering resigning if they are not fired beforehand.
Yesh Atid's ministers are Health Minister Yael German, Education Minister Shai Piron, Science, Technology and Space Minister Yaakov Peri and Welfare and Social Services Minister Meir Cohen.
Justice Minister Livni is the only Hatnua minister left in the government, after Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz resigned on November 9 in protest of Lapid's 2015 state budget.