Israel’s Netanyahu Goes to Hospital for Pacemaker. He Says He Will Push Ahead With Judicial Overhaul

JERUSALEM (JNS) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to undergo surgery overnight Saturday to implant a cardiac pacemaker.

The premier is being operated on at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan.

While Netanyahu is under sedation, Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin will act in his place.

In a video message, Netanyahu said that he was feeling “excellent” and following the advice of his doctors.

He added that he expected to be released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon, in time for him to attend scheduled votes in the Knesset on legislation related to his government’s effort to reform the judiciary.

The 73-year-old Netanyahu was hospitalized overnight exactly a week ago after briefly losing consciousness in his private home in Caesarea and subsequently smacking his head on the floor.

After he was discharged, the hospital released a statement indicating that “at no point was any heart rhythm disorder diagnosed.” However, “we decided to use a subcutaneous Holter, as is customary, to allow the prime minister’s own medical professional team to continue regular monitoring.”

The device, also known as a cardiac event recorder, is implanted under the skin of the chest or shoulder. They are commonly used if a patient experiences an unexplained stroke, fainting or irregular heartbeat.

In October, Netanyahu spent a night at the hospital under medical observation due to chest pains that began while he was attending Yom Kippur synagogue services.