TEL AVIV – Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a heart monitor before being released from the hospital on Sunday after spending the night in hospital for dehydration, the director of the hospital’s cardiology unit said.
“Our diagnosis, at the end of all tests carried out, including laboratory tests, that the reason for hospitalization was dehydration,” Dr. Amit Segev said in a video posted on Twitter by Sheba Medical Center.
Netanyahu’s heart was “completely normal,” Segey said, adding that his medical team had carried out extensive examinations “including an electrical test of the heart.”
“At no time was any cardiac arrhythmia found,” he said, adding that the Israeli leader had been implanted with a heart monitor so his data could be regularly analyzed.
Netanyahu was rushed to the Tel Aviv medical center on Saturday after experiencing “mild dizziness,” his office said in a statement at the time.
In a video address later that night, Netanyahu blamed the hot weather for his period of illness.
“Yesterday I spent some time with my wife on the Sea of Galilee, in the sun, without a hat and without water. It was not a good idea,” she said. “I want to thank everyone for her concern. Thank God I feel good.”
Despite the recovery reported by the prime minister, a weekly cabinet meeting scheduled for Sunday has been postponed to Monday.
Netanyahu was previously hospitalized in October after feeling ill during prayers on Yom Kippur, a day observant Jews fast.
The Israeli leader is in one of the most difficult phases of his political career and is facing pressure on several fronts. Demonstrations against his leadership and his proposed reform of the country’s judiciary entered their 28th week on Saturday, with protest leaders vowing more “days of disturbance” to come.
The protest movement includes many key institutions of Israeli civil society, including the national union, its medical association, military reservists, fighter pilots, and business leaders.
The reform is supported by hardline, right-wing and religiously conservative factions of Netanyahu’s coalition government. His policies toward the Palestinians and decisions to accelerate illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank have also drawn international criticism and strained relations with the United States, Israel’s closest ally.
Netanyahu also faces a litany of corruption charges for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The proposed judicial reform, which would limit government oversight by Israel’s Supreme Court and the ability to overturn decisions made by elected officials, could prove crucial to keeping Netanyahu out of jail or having the charges dropped. completely.
Netanyahu’s government approved a key part of the reform last week, although the bill still has to pass two more votes before it becomes law.
Paul Goldman reported from Tel Aviv and Leila Sackur from London.
Reuters and Associated Press contributed.
