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Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu is campaigning for office in Israel’s fifth national election since 2019. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Benjamin Netanyahu is campaigning for office in Israel’s fifth national election since 2019. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Benjamin Netanyahu hospitalised with chest pains during Yom Kippur

This article is more than 1 year old

Israel’s former PM kept for overnight observation after feeling unwell during synagogue services

Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been taken to hospital after feeling unwell during the Jewish fasting day of Yom Kippur.

Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, said Netanyahu, 72, was taken to Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek hospital after feeling chest pains while attending synagogue services. Local media quoted the hospital as saying he underwent a series of tests that came out normal, but was being kept under observation overnight.

In a statement on social media, Netanyahu said; “I feel better and thank everyone for the support and love.”

The hospitalisation comes less than a month before Israel holds its fifth national election in less than four years.

The 1 November election, like the previous four, is focused largely on whether voters believe Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, is fit to lead the nation.

Opinion polls point to his Likud party finishing first, but it remains unclear whether allied parties would capture enough seats to allow him to form a majority coalition government in parliament.

Yom Kippur, the annual Day of Atonement on the Jewish calendar, is marked by intense prayer and a 25-hour fast.

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