Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy announced his resignation on Wednesday, delivering a new blow to Prime Minister Ehud Barak's crippled government.
Levy said at a news conference at parliament that he had "no option" but to resign because of Barak's concessions to the Palestinians over the sensitive issue of Jerusalem at last month's Camp David peace summit.
"It is not possible to be in government and to explain things that you oppose," Levy said.
Levy's announcement came as parliament was debating a bill sponsored by the opposition Likud calling for the dissolution of the 120-member body and the calling of early elections, which are not due to be held for another three years.
He said he would vote in favor of the bill, which faced a preliminary vote on Wednesday but is unlikely to undergo any further readings until parliament returns from its summer recess due to start this week and run until late October.
Barak said he was not surprised by Levy's resignation, which officially takes effect in 48 hours.
"I cannot say that I do not regret my foreign minister's resignation. I have a great deal of respect for David Levy," Barak told reporters minutes after the announcement.
"But I am committed to the principles that government came into power to implement and consequently I will continue to work towards strengthening peace and security and further developing our economy," he said.
"I am sure that in the next few weeks when all the hubbub of the last few days dies down, we will be able to broaden the basis of the government and continue into the future to achieve our objectives."
Barak has been without a parliamentary majority since three right-wing and religious parties quit the coalition on the eve of the Camp David summit last month.
Levy said he was angry over Barak's apparent willingness to give the Palestinians some control over the Old City in the occupied eastern sector of Jerusalem.
"We have gone down a path leading to the division of Jerusalem, not just Arab areas, but the very heart of the Old City of Jerusalem," he added.
The 62-year-old veteran MP had said Sunday he would quit if Barak made no efforts towards creating a national unity government with the right-wing opposition Likud party.
However, Likud leader Ariel Sharon has repeatedly ruled out any possibility of joining forces with the Barak government.
Levy, who became foreign minister when Barak took office in July, had quit the previous right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu in January 1998 because of a dispute over his handling of the peace process and social issues - OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
