Netanyahu sacks two ministers, prepares for early elections

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed minister of justice Tsipi Livni and finance minister Yair Lapid on the backdrop of opposing remarks both had made directed at his government.

Netanyahu was also quoted by Israeli radio as saying that the cabinet was no longer able to carry out its role in the national interest, which he said was a result of internal contradictions in its formation, therefore, he would be working towards dissolving the Knesset and launching early elections.

Livni and Lapid had clashed with Netanyahu on a number of controversial issues, most recently a proposed "Jewish nation state" law.

He separately accused Lapid of siding with ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties and in a bid to form a substitute party.

In response to this, Livni fired back, accusing Netanyahu of being disrespectful and being uncourageous.