Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hospitalized Saturday and is undergoing evaluation after a medical incident at his home.
Netanyahu was undergoing medical tests at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer. The details are still unclear, but sources told the Jerusalem Post that the 73-year-old prime minister had lost consciousness and fell, hitting his head. His office has said the issue appears to be dehydration.
“He is in good condition and undergoing medical evaluation,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. “The PM spent the day at the Sea of Galilee during the hot hours yesterday. Today, he complained of mild dizziness, and on the recommendation of his personal doctor, Dr. Zvi Berkowitz, he came to the Sheba Medical Center emergency room.”
“The initial tests came out normal, and no findings were found. The initial assessment is dehydration,” his office added. “On the doctors’ recommendation, the Prime Minister continues to undergo additional routine tests.”
Netanyahu released a video statement later in the day, citing dehydration for his hospital visit and cautioning people to be aware of the heat wave currently gripping the country.
“Yesterday I spent time with my wife in the Sea of Galilee, in the sun, without a hat, without water. Not a good idea,” he said, according to CNN. “Thank God, I feel very well, but I have only one request from you: we are going through a heat wave in the country, so I ask you, be less in the sun and drink more water and let us all have a good week.”
Yair Lapid, who leads Israel’s opposition party, sent his best wishes to Netanyahu. “I wish Netanyahu a full recovery and good health. Feel better,” he said.
Netanyahu also received best wishes from the United States.
“Heidi and I are praying for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s health and that he has a swift recovery,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said.
“Praying for a swift recovery for my Friend and a Great Friend of America, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” former Vice President Mike Pence said.
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Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s history. He returned to the office in December 2022 after previously leaving the position in June 2021.
He was first elected in 1996 at age 46, the youngest person to ever serve as prime minister, after having served from 1984-1988 as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations. He served as prime minister from 1996-1999, then served as finance minister from 2003-2005, where he was focused on turning the Jewish state toward capitalism as he reduced tax rates significantly. During his tenure, the debt-to-GDP ratio dropped to one of the lowest in the world, and foreign investment reached record highs. Netanyahu embarked on his longest term as prime minister in 2009, serving for 12 years, an unprecedented length of time.