By Barbara Plett BBC correspondent in Jerusalem

Israeli Deputy Defence Minister Dalia Rabin-Pelossof has resigned from the government, apparently because of her opposition to its policy.

Yitzhak Rabin was killed by a Jewish extremist in 1995

She is the daughter of the late Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, and a senior member of his centre-left Labour Party.

She had been increasingly critical of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's hardline policy in recent months, publicly opposing his efforts to isolate the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat.

Her departure is the most significant rebellion in Labour since it joined the right-wing Likud Party in a coalition government under Mr Sharon.

'Hawks v doves' debate

Dalia Rabin-Pelossof had been urging the Labour party to withdraw from Mr Sharon's broad-based coalition government.

According to press reports, she said Labour was acting as a shield for the Israeli leader as he re-conquered Palestinian territory and crushed all agreements.

She is reported to have said she could not in good conscience remain in a government that did not continue the legacy of her late father, Yitzhak Rabin.

Mr Rabin was gunned down by a Jewish extremist in 1995, for signing a "land for peace" agreement with the Palestinians.

His daughter's resignation is the most visible sign of an ongoing debate between hawks and doves in the Labour Party.

Like her, many party members oppose Labour's role in the unity government, but there is strong public support for the coalition and Labour is not prepared to tempt political fate by leaving it, at least not for now.