Israeli Prime Minister recovering from emergency heart operation

2023-07-24

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recovering from emergency heart operation as demonstrations rage over overhaul of the judiciary

The 73-year-old leader was rushed to a hospital near Tel Aviv late on Saturday

Isreal’s prime minister was recovering from an emergency heart procedure last night ahead of a debate on a controversial judicial Bill that has led to protests by tens of thousands.

The timing of Benjamin Netanyahu’s hospitalisation yesterday morning to implant a pacemaker could not be more critical, with the parliament set to vote on part of the PM’s hugely contentious overhaul of the judiciary.

Tens of thousands of people came together for mass rallies, both for and against the proposals, with his supporters in central Tel Aviv while his opponents marched on Israel’s Knesset legislature.

A column of protesters stretched for miles, with estimates that 73,000 people took part.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is recovering from emergency heart operation last night ahead of a debate on a controversial judicial Bill that has led to protests by tens of thousands

People, oppose the judicial overhaul plan of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, stage a protest in front of Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem on July 23

Doctors said the medical procedure had gone smoothly but last night Netanyahu remained in Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv.

In a short video statement, Netanyahu, 73, said: ‘I want you to know that tomorrow morning I’m joining my colleagues at the Knesset.’

He is calling for sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary.

The embattled 73-year-old leader was rushed to a hospital near Tel Aviv late on Saturday after a heart monitor implanted a week earlier in what was described as a dehydration episode detected a ‘temporary arrhythmia’, his doctors said.

Fitted with a pacemaker, he was due for discharge on Monday.

‘As you can see, I am doing excellently,’ he said in a video statement that showed him seated, smiling and wearing a blazer.

‘We are pursuing efforts to complete the legislation, as well as efforts to do this through consensus, but in any event I want you to know that tomorrow morning I’ll be joining my colleagues in the Knesset.’

Lawmakers on Sunday began debating the bill, which would amend a law enabling the Supreme Court to void decisions made by the government and ministers it deems ‘unreasonable’.

Poll results aired by national broadcaster Kan found that 46% of Israelis were opposed to the amendment versus 35% who were in favour and 19% who were undecided.

The Histadrut labour federation proposed a scaled-down version of the bill. Centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid said that could be a basis for new compromise talks, but Netanyahu’s Likud party said it was too close to Lapid’s positions.