Israeli welfare minister Haim Katz resigns amid looming fraud charges

The Welfare and Social Services Minister of Israel Haim Katz has announced his resignation on Friday, according to i24NEWS English. The resignation has come two days after Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced on Wednesday that he plans to indict the minister on fraud and breach of trust charges.

Mandelblit announced charges against Katz of introducing legislation that will benefit a financial consultant to major Israeli firms who was also a close friend and financial adviser to Katz himself. The decision follows a lengthy corruption investigation into Katz's dealings with friend and businessman Mordechai Ben-Ari.

#BREAKING: #Israeli Welfare and Social Services Minister Haim #Katz resigns amid looming indictment for fraud, breach of trust https://t.co/oYIKYX4ZYZ

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) August 16, 2019

In addition to Netanyahu himself, Katz is the third minister from his government who police have recommended charges against.

Mandelblit has announced plans to charge Netanyahu pending a hearing in October, just weeks after the September 17 elections.

Netanyahu is facing potential corruption charges in three separate cases on allegations of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust. The long-serving premier denies all charges against him.

Netanyahu's Interior Minister Aryeh Deri has also been accused of fraud and breach of trust in an investigation related to real estate sales.