Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that he plans to name his picks for foreign and immigrant absorption ministers this week.
The ministerial reshuffle follows the resignation as defense minister of Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman last month and the withdrawal of his party from the coalition, which prompted the resignation of his fellow party member, Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver.
Netanyahu subsequently decided to keep the defense portfolio for himself, which required him to relinquish the role of foreign minister, a portfolio he has held since the formation of the current coalition in 2015.
According to Likud party sources, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz is the front-runner for the coveted role of foreign minister, as his appointment would cement various political alliances within Likud.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, a Likud member, has expressed her desire to become immigrant absorption minister in Landver's place.
Hotovely told Israel Hayom she had asked the prime minister to be appointed to the role.
"This is a very important position. I bring to it a decade of experience in other government roles and I believe it is time I make a considerable contribution to the government," she said.
