Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Netanyahu hospitalized briefly in Jerusalem, out in time to celebrate Passover

He was treated for a high fever and severe cough, the result of a flu he suffered two weeks ago.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen drinking coffee during a plenum session in the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament on June 17, 2015. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen drinking coffee during a plenum session in the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament on June 17, 2015. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening with a high fever and a severe cough.

He underwent two hours of medical examinations and was discharged with the diagnosis of a viral infection.

The prime minister’s personal physician said the inflammation in his respiratory was not life-threatening, but was due to a flu he suffered two weeks ago, from which he did not sufficiently rest in order to enable recovery.

Netanyahu received well wishes from across the political spectrum.

“To our dear prime minister, I wish you a speedy recovery. It is important to me and the entire nation of Israel that you are healthy as you sit with your dear family for the Passover seder, that you eat a lot of Haroset and even a few bitter herbs. Be healthy!” wrote Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on his Twitter account.

“I hope that with the help of God in the coming hours he will recover and return to full functioning soon,” said Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, and wished him a “speedy and complete recovery.”

Netanyahu has undergone hours of questioning by police regarding a number of corruption investigations.

Following his release from the hospital, Netanyahu tweeted his thanks to all those who had shared their good thoughts.

“Thank you to all of you for your concern! I am on my way home, sure that a little rest and hot soup will sort things out. Good night,” Netanyahu posted to Twitter in Hebrew.

Israel has no vice prime minister; therefore, if Netanyahu had undergone sedation, a vote would have been taken to declare a temporary premier.

The deliberate targeting by Tehran and by its proxy Hezbollah of civilian areas in Israel and in other neighboring states violates all humanitarian norms and is absolutely prohibited.
“It’s a great victory for the First Amendment right to free speech, including the right to draw attention to bigotry and hateful speech,” Paul Eckles, of the Brandeis Center, told JNS. “We commend our client for having the courage to speak out.”
U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have precipitated the move by demanding congressional action in a social media post earlier on Wednesday.
JNS sought comment from Aria Fani and received an autoreply, “On leave until September. Will not check email with capitalist frequency.”
A spokesman for the Ivy told JNS that the school believes being required “to create lists of Jewish faculty and staff, and to provide personal contact information, raises serious privacy and First Amendment concerns.”
The new program adds “America First foreign policy lectures” and shifts focus to merit and core diplomatic skills.