Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left a Jerusalem hospital just two days after prostate removal surgery to assist his party in passing a contentious budget law. Despite his doctor's advice, Netanyahu returned to the hospital after successfully navigating a parliamentary crisis at the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
Netanyahu's presence was crucial in securing the passage of a bill regulating dividend distribution and tax payments by Israeli companies. The bill narrowly passed by one vote following disagreements within Netanyahu's government, particularly involving Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Ben Gvir, who leads the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, opposed the tax reform, citing concerns about funding for police raises. In contrast, Netanyahu and Smotrich argued that the police had already received substantial increases in recent years.
Netanyahu expressed disappointment in Ben Gvir's actions, urging him to cease destabilizing the right-wing government during a critical period in Israel's history. The rift between Ben Gvir and Smotrich further escalated as they traded accusations over Netanyahu's premature departure from the hospital for the vote.
Smotrich criticized Ben Gvir for allegedly causing distress to the prime minister, while Ben Gvir insisted that negotiations could have resolved the issue amicably. The Hadassah Medical Center confirmed that Netanyahu defied medical advice to leave the hospital, citing a urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement that had been treated with antibiotics.
Despite the political tensions and health concerns, Netanyahu's determination to fulfill his duties underscored the complexities of governance in Israel's dynamic political landscape.
