Israel's Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit said in a statement on Monday Netanyahu can remain interim prime minister, giving a small boost to the embattled leader.

Mandelblit's comments come days after serving him with charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery.

Netanyahu faces calls from his opponents to step down following the indictment.

Mandelblit's opinion confirmed what had been a consensus legal view, that an indicted prime minister may remain in office while fighting criminal charges.

Netanyahu is the first-ever sitting prime minister to be charged with a crime.

The attorney general did not weigh in on whether Netanyahu could keep his other ministerial positions while under indictment. Netanyahu also holds the agriculture, labour and welfare, health and Diaspora affairs portfolios.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest serving prime minister, has dismissed the charges as an "attempted coup" and refused to resign.

He says he will fight the charges from the prime minister's office.

Australian Associated Press