Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon has resigned, saying he lacked trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the BBC reports.

It comes amid moves by Mr Netanyahu to bring hardliner Avigdor Lieberman and his party into the ruling coalition, likely offering him the defence post.

Announcing his decision on Twitter, Mr Yaalon said: “I informed the PM that after his conduct and recent developments, and given the lack of faith in him, I am resigning from the government and parliament and taking a break from political life.”

It also follows a public disagreement between the two men after Mr Yaalon backed a senior military figure, who made controversial remarks about Israeli society on Holocaust Day earlier this month.