JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 73, underwent emergency surgery to implant a pacemaker, which led to a video appearance from the hospital, proclaiming himself to be “feeling great.” However, the revelation of a long-known heart problem he had concealed shocked and disheartened many Israelis. The admission contrasted with the image of a healthy, energetic leader that Netanyahu had projected.
A week after experiencing a fainting spell, Netanyahu had the pacemaker urgently fitted to regulate his heartbeat. Only then did the Sheba Medical Center disclose that he had been living with a condition that could cause irregular heartbeats for years. Previously, cardiologists had downplayed concerns, describing his heartbeat as “completely normal” and attributing his health issues to dehydration.
This revelation came amidst mass protests against Netanyahu’s controversial plan to curtail judicial power, with legislators from the governing coalition passing a significant bill into law on the same day.
Critics have expressed frustration at the lack of government transparency and contradictory assessments of Netanyahu’s health. The delayed acknowledgment of his condition has sparked intense public criticism.
Netanyahu’s health problems add to the political crises he is currently facing, and experts believe it could affect his carefully cultivated personal charisma, which has played a vital role in his political staying power.
Despite Israeli government protocol requiring annual medical reports from prime ministers, Netanyahu has not released one since 2016. He has had few other recorded health scares, but his concealed heart problem and recent pacemaker implantation have raised concerns about transparency and his ability to lead during a time of crisis.
The timing of the disclosure has further fueled anger and distrust, adding to the political polarization in Israel and questioning the culture of deceit in the nation’s leadership.