Last week, Science and Technology Minister Yizhar Shay also contemplated resigning but was persuaded not to by Gantz.
"Asaf Zamir didn't only resign, he laid out a serious indictment before all those who remain in the government a minute longer and continue to keep Netanyahu in power. Gantz and Ashkenazi - you are not serving the State of Israel, you are serving Netanyahu. It's time to resign," Leader of the Opposition, Yair Lapid said in regard to Zamir's resignation.
Yesh Atid MK Ofer Shelah said Zamir's departure is the "first brick in Netanyahu's wall falling." He promised that more Blue and White ministers would follow. Likud responded by accusing Zamir of resigning for his own political reasons. He is expected to run again for Tel Aviv mayor in the next election. "Zamir is running away from the battle just in order to gain some votes in Tel Aviv," the Likud said. "It is Zamir who is engaging in petty politics while the prime minister is fighting around the clock to save the lives and the livelihood of the citizens of Israel."In a second statement, Likud said that Blue and White needs to decide whether "it is fighting the virus or the government."The three ministers who voted against the new directives limiting protests against Netanyahu were Zamir, Shay and Farkash-Hacohen. Asked why she voted against, a spokesman for Farkash-Hacohen said it did not have to do with the protests but with economic issues."She doesn't agree with the economic part of the plan, and thinks the damage to the economy is much greater than what the plan achieves," her spokesperson said.