Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stood down from all his ministerial posts as he grapples with the fallout from corruption charges against him, his office confirmed on Thursday.
Mr Netanyahu will remain prime minister, but will give up four other offices: health, social affairs, agriculture and diaspora.
Jakov Litzman, the former deputy health minister, has already been appointed as the next minister of health.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing corruption charges. Source: AAP
Successors for the other posts will be announced next week, Mr Netanyahu's office said.
The country's attorney general announced late last year that Mr Netanyahu would be charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
It is the first time in the history of Israel that an incumbent prime minister is facing charges. Mr Netanyahu has spoken of a coup attempt and sharply criticised Israel's judiciary. He accused the police of putting witnesses under pressure.
Mr Netanyahu sent a letter to parliament speaker Yuli Edelstein on Wednesday seeking immunity in the three criminal cases against him.
He also slammed the investigation and said he would eventually prove his innocence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Source: AFP
The request is sure to delay the start of Mr Netanyahu's trial until after the 2 March general election, the third time Israelis will go to the polls in less than a year.
Opposition parties in Israel are demanding a decision on the immunity before elections.
The news come as Israeli politician Yaakov Litzman faces criticism from Australian Jewish groups over his appointment to the role of Health Minister.
Mr Litzman is under criminal investigation for trying to stop the extradition to Australia of an accused paedophile Malka Leifer.
In August 2019, Israeli police recommended indicting Israel’s deputy health minister on suspicion he tried to pressure court-appointed psychiatrists to support Ms Leifer's mental illness claims.
The Zionist Federation of Australia and Ms Leifer's alleged victims says Mr Litzman's appointmnent would "send a terrible message".
"In the eyes of everyone watching this case around the world and really in the eyes of all victims of abuse, it's a slap in the face," alleged victims, Dassi Erlich, told the ABC.
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