Interim foreign minister appointed

JERUSALEM: Israel’s prime minister has appointed an interim foreign minister after holding the post himself for the last four years.

Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that Transportation Minister Israel Katz would serve as foreign minister until the formation of a new government after the April elections.

A good governance group petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court against Netanyahu’s multitude of roles, after he took over the defence minister’s portfolio following his resignation late last year. Netanyahu also serves as Israel’s health minister.

Katz recently finished first among serving ministers in the ruling Likud party primaries, solidifying his position as Netanyahu’s top deputy and potential successor.