The Israeli prime minister expresses feeling “great” after the pacemaker implantation and anticipates being discharged in time for a crucial vote on his judicial changes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he is “doing excellently” following the pacemaker surgery before an important parliamentary vote on his contentious judicial overhaul plan. His office announced that the 73-year-old leader is expected to be discharged on Monday.
In a video statement, Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to well-wishers and the medical team who treated him in the hospital, assuring them that he is “doing excellently.”
“We are working towards completing the legislation and seeking consensus,” he mentioned, emphasizing his commitment to participate in Monday’s vote in the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset.
Netanyahu revealed that he was equipped with a monitor following last week’s hospitalization. When an alarm beeped on Saturday, it signaled an urgent need for a pacemaker, which was promptly implanted.
He affirmed feeling great but acknowledged the importance of following his doctors’ advice during the recovery process.
The surgery occurred one week after Netanyahu’s hospitalization due to dehydration. It also followed a turbulent day with substantial protests against his proposed judicial changes.
Across Israel, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday night, with thousands marching to Jerusalem and camping near the Knesset before the final vote on the crucial “reasonability” clause. This clause grants judges the authority to overturn government decisions.
Professor Roy Beinart, the director at the Davidai Arrhythmia Center within Sheba Medical Center’s Heart Institute, explained that doctors chose to monitor Netanyahu due to a pre-existing “conduction disorder” or irregular heartbeat that he has experienced for several years.
In a video statement, it was mentioned that the prime minister required the pacemaker due to a “temporary arrhythmia,” which refers to an irregular heartbeat, experienced on Saturday evening.
“The implantation procedure went smoothly, without any complications,” stated Beinart, reassuring that the prime minister’s condition is not life-threatening. He further emphasized that Netanyahu feels great and is resuming his regular activities.
A pacemaker is typically utilized when a patient’s heart is beating too slowly or to treat heart failure. By delivering electrical pulses to the heart, the device regulates or maintains a normal heartbeat, enabling the heart to pump blood at a regular rate throughout the body.
Due to Netanyahu’s medical condition, his scheduled trips to Turkey and Cyprus for this week have been postponed, though new dates have not been finalized yet.
The coming Monday marks the commencement of voting in parliament to ratify the initial set of reforms in Netanyahu’s extensively debated judicial overhaul. The proposed changes have triggered nationwide protests for months and raised concerns about Israel’s democratic standing on the international stage.
Critics express concerns that the proposed judicial changes may be an attempt by Netanyahu, who is currently facing corruption charges (which he denies), to limit the independence of the courts. However, the Israeli leader, currently serving his record sixth term as prime minister, asserts that the reforms are intended to achieve a better balance among the government branches.
In response to the situation, Washington has advised Netanyahu to pursue comprehensive agreements regarding any potential judicial reforms.
