Proud homophobe quits

Avi Maoz, leader of the farright Noam Party, has resigned from his position as deputy minister in Netanyahu’s government.

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

He 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. Moaz’s appointment had 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 fighting in combat positions and supports legalising gender segregation at public events.