Quds, Aug 7, SPA-- Israeli Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resigned in protest on Sunday as the cabinet approved the first phase of evacuations from settlements in the occupied Gaza Strip, Reuters reported. The cabinet voted by 17 to five to back the first phase of the initiative -- removal of the settlements of Kfar Darom, Netzarim and Morag, isolated enclaves where resistance is likely to be among the strongest. Sharon later named Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as the new finance minister. Olmert, a long-time Sharon ally, has long supported the pullout plan.