Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today relinquished the role of Foreign Minister and handed it to a right-wing rival Yisrael Katz from within his Likud party.

The move comes ahead of April 9 elections after an Israeli NGO filed a plea in the court arguing that Netanyahu, who is also health and defence minister, holds too many portfolios.

A Likud spokesman said, Mr Netanyahu intended to appoint Katz who is currently transportation and intelligence Minister, as acting foreign minister.

Katz holds right-wing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has said conditions are not in place now for a two-state solution.

The foreign minister portfolio is viewed as more prestigious and high-profile. Exit Polls suggest Mr Netanyahu is on track to win the elections despite a series of corruption investigations against him. He has been Prime Minister for a total of nearly 13 years.