Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a notable appearance in the Israeli parliament on Tuesday for a crucial budget-related vote, just days after undergoing prostate surgery. Despite objections from doctors following the surgery, Netanyahu, 75, was accompanied by his personal physician and appeared in good spirits during his brief appearance.
The surgery was performed to remove his prostate after a urinary tract infection, which was linked to a benign enlargement of the prostate. Netanyahu's office confirmed that the surgery was successful and without complications.
The budget-related vote in question pertains to the 'Trapped Profits Law,' which would allow the government to tax earnings retained by corporations for reinvestment. Failure to pass this bill could jeopardize the approval of the state budget, which must be passed by March 31 to avoid triggering national elections.
Two parties in Israel's governing coalition, United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Otzma Yehudit, are threatening to vote against the bill for various reasons. UTJ is demanding progress on legislation exempting Orthodox Jewish citizens from military service, while Otzma Yehudit is calling for an increased budget for security agencies.
Netanyahu's government, comprising seven parties, holds 68 seats out of 120 in the Knesset. This development comes as Netanyahu continues to testify in a corruption case against him and leads the IDF in operations targeting Iranian terrorists and their proxies across the Middle East.
Recent strikes by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen are part of ongoing efforts to degrade threats to regional partners and vessels in the area.
