Netanyahu Leaves Hospital Post-Surgery To Push Divisive Budget Law

By -

 Just two days after undergoing prostate removal surgery, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied his doctors' advice and left a Jerusalem hospital to ensure the passage of a controversial budget law in parliament. Following the successful vote, Netanyahu returned to the hospital to continue his recovery.

Critical Parliamentary Showdown

Netanyahu’s presence at the Knesset was pivotal in passing a contentious bill regulating how companies distribute dividends and pay taxes. The legislation narrowly passed by one vote, highlighting deep divisions within Netanyahu’s coalition government.

Disputes between key figures, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, both of whom lead right-wing factions, brought the government to the brink of crisis.

Clashes Over Police Funding

The disagreement stemmed from funding allocations for Israel’s police force. Ben Gvir argued that the tax reform shortchanges raises for police officers, while Smotrich and Netanyahu contended that law enforcement has already received significant budget increases in recent years.

Netanyahu urged Ben Gvir to cease actions that could destabilize the coalition, stating, “This is a critical moment in Israel’s history.”

Heated Blame Game

The vote sparked a bitter exchange between Smotrich and Ben Gvir. Smotrich accused Ben Gvir of disrupting the coalition and inconveniencing Netanyahu during his recovery.

“Minister Ben Gvir chose to hurt the prime minister and bother him from his sick bed,” Smotrich said.

In response, Ben Gvir criticized Smotrich’s refusal to negotiate. “It pained me greatly to see how Finance Minister Smotrich dragged the prime minister, whom we all love, from his sick bed just because of his ego,” Ben Gvir told the Knesset.

Medical Concerns

A spokesperson for Hadassah Medical Center confirmed that Netanyahu left the hospital against medical advice. The prime minister had been recovering from surgery following a urinary tract infection caused by a benign prostate enlargement, which was treated with antibiotics.

Despite his health challenges, Netanyahu’s determination to resolve the political impasse underscores the high stakes and deep divisions within Israel’s governing coalition.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Israel Moves To Shut Down Al Jazeera After A New Law Permits The Banning Of International Media Deemed A security Threat

By -
Image
    Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to shut down news network Al Jazeera following the passage Monday of a  sweeping law  allowing the government to ban foreign networks perceived as posing a threat to national security. Netanyahu said he intended “to act immediately in accordance with the new law” to stop the Qatari-based news outlet’s activity in the country, according to a post on social media platform X following the passage of the law. Al Jazeera Media Network, which has produced dogged, on the ground reporting of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza,  slammed the decision  in a statement, vowing it would not stop the network from continuing its “bold and professional coverage.” The new law gives the prime minister and communications minister authority to order the temporary closure of foreign networks operating in Israel – powers that rights groups say could have far-reaching implications on international media coverage of...
Read more

Tragic Toll: 87 Lives Lost in Northern Gaza Strike Amid UN Warning of Inescapable Danger

By -
Image
  Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry has said at least 87 people were killed and more than 40 injured in Saturday's Israeli air strike on the city of Beit Lahia in the north of the Palestinian enclave. The ministry said a number of people were still under the rubble after a residential area was hit. Israel said it was checking reports of casualties but added that earlier - lower - figures published by Hamas were "exaggerated". In recent weeks, the Israel military has been carrying out intense bombardment of northern Gaza, saying it wanted to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping there. A senior UN official warned that the "nightmare in Gaza is intensifying" and the war "must stop now". The UN's peace process co-ordinator, Tor Wennesland, said that "nowhere is safe in Gaza". In a statement, Tor Wennesland said he condemned the continuing attacks on civilians. "This war must end, the hostages held by Hamas must be freed, the displac...
Read more

Mysteries In The Skies: US Air Force F-16 Crashes Off South Korean Coast

By -
Image
In a dramatic turn of events, a United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet plunged into the waters off the coast of South Korea during a routine training mission, adding another layer of intrigue to the series of crashes involving US military aircraft stationed in Korea. The incident unfolded on a Wednesday morning around 8:41 a.m. local time, as the F-16 from the 8th Fighter Wing encountered an in-flight emergency over the waters west of the Korean Peninsula. Kunsan Air Base, situated approximately 110 miles (180 kilometers) south of Seoul, promptly issued a statement confirming the crash. Thankfully, the pilot, belonging to the 8th Fighter Wing, executed a successful ejection and was recovered approximately 50 minutes after the aircraft went down. The Air Force reported that the pilot was conscious and underwent a thorough assessment at a medical facility. Expressing gratitude, Colonel Matthew Gaetke, the commander of the 8th Fighter Wing, acknowledged the rapid response of the Republi...
Read more