Ultranationalist ally of Netanyahu resigns from government

Avi Maoz, centre, has resigned from the new government.(Amir Cohen/Pool Photo via AP, File)

An ultranationalist ally of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tendered his resignation as a deputy minister in the new government.

Avi Maoz’s departure was the first crack in Mr Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, which assumed office in late December after securing a parliamentary majority in the November elections.