Netanyahu hospitalized overnight with apparent dehydration
Premier hospitalized after feeling dizzy earlier in the day
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan on Saturday after reportedly feeling dizzy.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu had spent time outside in the heat in the afternoon and felt dizzy afterwards.
“Today, he felt slightly dizzy, and at the advice of his personal physician, Dr. Zvi Berkowitz, was taken to Sheba's emergency department,” according to the statement.
"The initial examinations showed normal findings," the statement continued. "The initial evaluation is dehydration."
Several hours later, Netanyahu released a video statement saying, “Yesterday, I was with my wife at the Sea of Galilee, in the sun, without a hat, without water. Not a good idea.”
“I first of all want to thank all of you for your concern, and to thank the excellent medical teams here at Sheba who checked me. Thank God I feel very good,” Netanyahu said in the video, before telling Israelis, “But I have one request from you, we are in the midst of a heatwave, so I ask of you, spend less time in the sun, drink more water, and may we all have a good week.”
Netanyahu’s personal doctor told N12 news on Saturday afternoon that his condition was stable.
Two Hebrew news sites reported that Netanyahu had lost consciousness and one TV news channel reported, without official confirmation, that the prime minister had been experiencing chest pains.
Neither report was confirmed by the official statement of the prime minister's office.
Netanyahu’s hospitalization roused concerns in Israel, as he has not yet appointed a deputy prime minister.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote a message on social media wishing Netanyahu a speedy recovery.
“I wish Prime Minister Netanyahu a complete recovery and good health. Feel Good.”
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
