Israeli PM Netanyahu Rushed To Hospital After 'Dizziness', Likely Due To Dehydration, His Office Says

A leading Israeli news site, Walla quoted an unnamed official as saying that Netanyahu had fainted at home but was fully conscious at the hospital

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu ( Image Source :Getty Images )

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to hospital on Saturday but was in "good condition" as he underwent a medical examination, said his office, reported AP. According to his office without giving further details, Netanyahu was being treated at Israel’s Sheba Hospital, near the coastal city of Tel Aviv. A leading Israeli news site, Walla quoted an unnamed official as saying that Netanyahu had fainted at home but was fully conscious at the hospital. Another news site, Haaretz reported that the Israeli PM was conscious and walking on his own, quoting hospital officials as saying. 

At the age of 73, Netanyahu is the longest serving leader of Israel who has served multiple terms stretching over 15 years in office. His present far-right government, a collection of religious and ultranationalist parties, took office last December.

Otherwise, generally said to be in a good health, Netanyahu was briefly hospitalised in October last year after feeling unwell during prayers on Yom Kippur, day when observant Jews fast.

Israel is currently in the midst of a heat wave, with temperatures in the mid-30s degrees Celsius, (mid-90s in Fahrenheit) and according to a Reuters report, Netanyahu was hospitalised with dizziness, apparently from dehydration. 

By Saturday evening, Energy Minister Israel Katz, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party, told Israel's Channel 13 TV: "He's coming back to work. This event is behind us." He did not say when the prime minister would resume work.

Later, the Israeli PM also moved to calm worries by issuing a brief video message. "Thank God, I feel really well," Netanyahu said in the video which he described as having been recorded at the hospital that received him.

"I ask you all, spend less time in the sun less, drink more water, and may we all have a good new week," he added, smiling and apparently wearing a dark blazer over a dress shirt.

The Israeli leader was admitted on his physician's recommendation after complaining of "light dizziness", his office said. 

"Initial tests came back normal, without findings. The preliminary diagnosis is dehydration," it said, adding further routine tests were underway.