Netanyahu expected to relinquish communications portfolio
Embroiled in investigations and facing a petition filed by opposition head MK Isaac Herzog alleging conflict of interest, PM Netanyahu is expected to hand over the ministry of communications portfolio to another Likud minister.
Maintaining the communications portfolio has been a priority for Netanyahu, who has insisted of keeping it despite sustained criticism since his most recent government was formed.
Netanyahu also compelled coalition members to sign agreements preventing them from promoting initiatives in the field of communications.
According to some predictions, two potential candidates stand to receive the portfolio: Minister of Culture Miri Regev and Minister of Regional Cooperation Tzachi Hanegbi.
Regev is considered one of the prime minister's closest associates due to the fact that she has defended both him and his wife in the media.
On the other hand, Hanegbi has already received some of Netanyahu's authority in the field of telecommunications due to a friendship with businessman Shaul Elovitch, who is an associate of Netanyahu's.
There is also speculation that even after a new minister is appointed, Netanyahu will continue to influence the ministry through his friendship with Director General of the Ministry of Communication, Shlomo Filber.
According to political sources who spoke with the prime minister in recent days have concluded that, after conversations with Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and officials from the State's Attorney Office, he will face legal difficulty defending his role as Minister of Communications.
By relinquishing control over the portfolio, Netanyahu is seeking to obviate the state's response to the High Court concerning a petition filed by head of the opposition MK Isaac Herzog into why Netanyahu is still holding the portfolio.
Herzog filed the petition to the Supreme Court claiming that Netanyahu is in a conflict of interest and therefore, should be suspended from his position as minister of communication.
The conflict of interest arises from the investigation into Netanyahu and his relationship with Arnon Milchan and Arnon Mozes, owner of Yedioth Ahronoth.
