Netanyahu Undergoes Prostrate Surgery, Postpones Court Hearing On Bribery, Fraud, Breach Of Trust (X image @InsiderWorld_1)
Tel Aviv, Israel: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed his court hearing as he underwent prostate surgery under general anaesthesia. He will be staying in the hospital for several days, said his office. He was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.
Netanyahu underwent a test at Hadassah Hospital on Wednesday, where he was “diagnosed with a urinary tract infection resulting from a benign prostate enlargement,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. “As a result, the prime minister will undergo prostate removal surgery tomorrow,” it added.
In March, he underwent a hernia surgery, while in July last year doctors implanted a pacemaker in Netanyahu after a medical scare.
The request to postpone court hearing was submitted to the Jerusalem District Court by his lawyer, Amit Hadad, who said, “At this stage, the court is requested to cancel the hearings scheduled for this week.” He also added that he will “update the court going forward”.
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“The hearing is expected to resume next week, on Monday, January 6,” the court said, and wished for Netanyahu’s “refuah sheleima,” or a speedy recovery. He last testified in court on 10 December and has appeared six times so far to answer charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
The Israeli Prime Minister was first indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Netanyahu, who has pleaded not guilty, denies all allegations. The trial against him began in 2020. In one case, prosecutors claim Netanyahu gave regulatory benefits worth approximately 1.8 billion shekels (around $500 million) to Bezeq Telecom. In exchange, they claim, he sought favourable coverage for himself and his wife, Sara, on a news website controlled by Shaul Elovitch, the company’s former chairman. This case involves charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
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In another case, Netanyahu and his wife were accused of accepting gifts worth nearly 700,000 shekels (around $210,000) from Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and Israeli citizen, and James Packer, an Australian billionaire. The alleged gifts included luxury items like champagne and cigars, and prosecutors claim Netanyahu provided assistance to Milchan in business matters.
The third case against Netanyahu involves claims that he negotiated with Arnon Mozes, the owner of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, for favourable media coverage. In return, Netanyahu allegedly promised to support legislation that would curb the growth of a rival newspaper.
(With inputs from agencies)
