Netanyahu gives up a title

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given up the post of foreign minister for the first time since he took office almost four years ago, appointing Transportation Minister Israel Katz in his place Sunday.

Netanyahu has faced criticism over the fact that he keeps major ministerial roles to himself, a criticism that intensified when he added the role of defense minister to his responsibilities after Avigdor Liberman resigned from the post in November.

In addition, Netanyahu also holds the health portfolio.

His decision to relinquish the Foreign Ministry comes after a Jerusalembased nongovernmental organization, the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, petitioned the High Court of Justice over the number of portfolios he holds, Israeli media reported.