WITH poetic timing, Israel's Finance Minister, Mr Dan Meridor, one of the few widely respected members of Mr Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, submitted his resignation yesterday, the first anniversary of the government's formal swearing in.
"One year in this government is quite enough for me," he told his fellow ministers at an emergency cabinet meeting.
Several former senior figures in the governing Likud party said last night they thought the resignation would lead soon to the government's collapse. While that prognosis seems somewhat unlikely, opposition motions of no confidence in Mr Netanyahu, to be debated in the Knesset next week, will provide a tense test.
Mr Meridor gave up his position after being defeated in a cabinet vote on an obscure aspect of economic policy concerning the exchangerate value of the Israeli shekel against the dollar. In fact, he was forced out of his position after months of concerted effort by the Prime Minister and his aides to undermine him.
As Mr Meridor remarked duly yesterday, his disputes with Mr Netanyahu have had "as much to do with economics as I have to do with chess." The truth was, he said, that he had quit because he no longer had any confidence in the Prime Minister.
While Mr Netanyahu insisted last night that he was "really sorry" about Mr Meridor's departure, prime ministerial aides were plainly delighted to have got rid of an important, well liked rival. That delight, though, could well prove misplaced.
Mr Meridor now joins another respected exminister, Mr Beni Begin, on the back benches. Also there is the former deputy finance minister, Mr David Magen. All are veteran Likud members fully capable of forming an awkward internal opposition. Given that some of the Prime Minister's coalition partners from other parties have also expressed deep misgivings about the leadership, the long term stability of the government is by no means assured.
While international and Israeli opposition attacks on the Prime Minister have centred on his refusal to advance peace efforts with the Palestinians criticism within the Likud has revolved around Mr Netanyahu's personal performance, and especially perceived inept appointments.
. David Horovitz is managing editor of the Jerusalem Report
. Two pro Israeli militiamen were killed in a roadside bomb explosion in south Lebanon yesterday hours after two civilians died in another blast, pro Israeli militia sources said.