Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in the halls of the Knesset on Tuesday for a key budget-related vote, despite doctors following prostate surgery on Sunday night, according to the Tazpit Press Service (TPS). expressed objection.
Netanyahu, 75, was accompanied by his personal physician Dr. Tzvi Berkowitz to the Knesset plenary session and appeared to be in good spirits during a brief appearance while seated. Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli leader had his prostate removed under surgery on Sunday after suffering a urinary tract infection, which reportedly “stemmed from a benign enlargement of the prostate.”
Two parties in Israel’s ruling coalition have threatened to vote against the “profit trap law” if their demands are not met.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in the Knesset for a crucial vote despite objections from doctors. Netanyahu is recovering from surgery. (Jov Dudkevich/TPS-IL)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu completes prostate surgery after diagnosed with urinary tract infection
The bill would allow the government to tax so-called “trapped profits” – profits that businesses and multinationals retain to reinvest in business growth, infrastructure and research. Until now, trapped profits were tax-free to encourage investment.
Failure to pass the bill could jeopardize approval of the state budget, which must be passed by March 31 or the government will automatically collapse, triggering national elections.
The United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party, which controls seven seats in parliament, said it would vote against the bill as a warning to the government for failing to advance legislation that would exempt Orthodox Jewish citizens from military service.
The issue of exempting Orthodoxy has sparked heated debate in recent months. Under the TPS, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began developing plans to recruit Jewish students after Israel’s High Court ruled in June that exemptions for the Orthodox community were illegal.
UTJ party leader Minister Rabbi Yitzhak Godknopf insisted that the party would continue to oppose the draft immunity law if there was no progress.
The Ozma Yehudit party, which also controls seven seats, also expressed opposition.
Its leader, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has demanded an increase in the budgets of police, prison services and fire agencies and vowed to vote against the bill until his demands are met, TPS reported.
Netanyahu’s government consists of seven parties, holding 68 of the 120 seats.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for the Knesset vote. (Jov Dudkevich/TPS-IL)
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On Sunday, Netanyahu’s office announced that the surgery “concluded successfully without complications.”
The Israeli leader has undergone numerous health checks over the past two years. In March, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery under general anesthesia, and Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin temporarily stepped in during the process.
A few months before the October 7 attack, Netanyahu suffered from dehydration and was admitted to the hospital in July 2023. Sun protection measures, resulting in dehydration.
A week after being hospitalized for dehydration, Netanyahu’s doctors implanted a pacemaker to regulate his heart rate and rhythm.
Netanyahu’s latest move comes as the 75-year-old politician continues to testify in Israel’s corruption case against him. He took the stand in early December and is expected to continue testifying in the new year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a day after a serious operation. (Jov Dudkevich/TPS-IL)
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Netanyahu also currently leads the Israel Defense Forces on multiple fronts in the Middle East and continues to target Iranian terrorists and their proxies.
The IDF has recently launched multiple attacks against the Houthi rebels, targeting Houthi infrastructure at Sanaa International Airport in Yemen and the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Al-Kanatib.
According to Fox News, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces also conducted multiple precision strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi armed targets in Sanaa and coastal areas controlled by the Houthi armed forces in Yemen from December 30 to 31.
The attacks are part of Central Command’s efforts to neutralize the threat posed by Iran-backed Houthi rebels to partners in the region as well as military and commercial shipping.
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
