Netanyahu has held the health, welfare, agriculture, and diaspora affairs portfolios, but someone who has been indicted for a crime cannot serve as a minister. There is no such rule regarding the position of the prime minister, Haaretz reported.

Netanyahu stated that he would appoint a replacement for his ministerial posts in the coming days.

Also Wednesday, Netanyahu, facing criminal charges in three corruption cases, said that he had decided to officially request immunity from prosecution.

Court proceedings in Netanyahu’s cases will only begin after the Knesset completes its handling of the immunity request – and the expected appeals to the High Court on the matter.

According to Israeli law, the Knesset House Committee is to discuss his request and should it be approved, the request will need to pass a vote by the Knesset plenum.

However, since a House Committee has not been appointed since the April general election, and is not expected to be assembled before the upcoming March election, the discussion will only take place in several months. Until the committee makes a decision, an indictment against Netanyahu can’t be handed officially to the court.