Due to criminal charges, Netanyahu resigns from 3 ministerial portfolios
PM had promised to quit welfare, agriculture and diaspora affairs ministries after charges brought in 3 corruption cases; new ministers likely to be appointed Sunday
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the government late Wednesday that he has resigned from three additional ministerial portfolios that he holds, a move forced by the criminal charges against him.
His resignation will go into effect on Sunday, when he will likely appoint new ministers to fill the vacancies at the ministries of welfare, agriculture and diaspora affairs.
Israeli cabinet ministers facing criminal indictment are required to resign from their cabinet posts, though no such explicit order is outlined in Israeli law for prime ministers.
Netanyahu promised the High Court of Justice that he would quit all positions except prime minister by the end of 2019. Due to a now-defunct, but not-yet-replaced coalition agreement from the 20th Knesset, one portfolio will go to a Shas lawmaker while the other two will go to Likud MKs.
On Sunday, the cabinet approved the promotion of United Torah Judaism leader Yaakov Litzman, who has served for years as deputy health minister, to full health minister in Netanyahu’s stead. The move elicited harsh condemnations from Australian Jewish organizations angry at the elevation of an official who police recommended be indicted for illicitly seeking to prevent the extradition of an alleged serial sex abuser wanted by Australian authorities.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/due-to-criminal-charges-netanyahu-resigns-from-3-ministerial-portfolios/