Israeli PM Netanyahu Recovering from Heart Procedure as Controversial Judicial Overhaul Advances

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently recuperating in a hospital after undergoing an emergency heart procedure. Despite his health concerns, opposition to his government’s contentious judicial overhaul plan continues to escalate, leading to unrest across the country.

Netanyahu’s doctors have reassured the public that the heart pacemaker implantation was successful, and the Prime Minister, aged 73, is feeling well. He is expected to be discharged later today. However, tensions are high as lawmakers engage in a marathon debate over the primary aspect of the judicial overhaul. The plan is set for a parliamentary vote on Monday to be officially enacted into law.

The situation has sparked mass protests across Israel. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday night, with thousands marching into Jerusalem and camping near the parliament building in anticipation of Monday’s vote.

Netanyahu’s sudden hospitalization adds another layer of complexity to the already dramatic events shaping Israel’s future. As the longest-serving Israeli leader, he faces significant challenges to his leadership, and the country is grappling with its worst domestic crisis, affecting the economy, military, and social cohesion.

Lawmakers proceeded with the debate despite Netanyahu’s hospitalization. Simcha Rothman, a key figure in the overhaul, launched the session with a fiery speech denouncing the courts, accusing them of damaging Israel’s democratic principles by arbitrarily overturning government decisions.

The Prime Minister’s health issues also disrupted his schedule. The weekly Cabinet meeting, initially planned for Sunday morning, was postponed. Additionally, concerns about the legal dispute’s impact on the military were raised during a security assessment session, which was removed from Netanyahu’s schedule.

During the pacemaker implantation, Netanyahu was sedated, and his duties were temporarily handed over to Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close confidant and mastermind of the judicial overhaul.

In a pre-implantation video statement, Netanyahu expressed feeling excellent and vowed to resume pushing forward with the judicial overhaul as soon as he was released from the hospital, indicating that he planned to be present for Monday’s crucial vote.

The proposed overhaul measure aims to limit the Supreme Court’s oversight powers by preventing judges from striking down government decisions as “unreasonable.” Supporters of the plan argue that the current “reasonability” standard gives judges excessive authority over elected officials. However, critics fear that removing this standard would open the door to arbitrary decisions, improper appointments, firings, and potential corruption.

Apart from this, the overhaul proposes other sweeping changes to reduce the judiciary’s powers, including limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions and altering the process of selecting judges.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to resume compromise talks and praised the protesters for standing up to the government, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the nation’s future.

Protesters from various segments of Israeli society view the overhaul as a power grab motivated by personal and political interests of Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges. They believe the plan aims to deepen Israel’s control over the occupied West Bank and perpetuate controversial draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.

Netanyahu’s hospitalization followed a previous incident a week ago when he was admitted for dehydration. Doctors then implanted a device to monitor his heart, and though he was released, anomalies were detected, necessitating the pacemaker.

As the pressure mounts on Netanyahu, military reservists have been declaring their refusal to serve under a government they perceive as leading the country towards dictatorship. This has raised concerns about the military’s preparedness, especially if the best soldiers opt not to serve.

The overhaul plan was announced by Netanyahu and his far-right allies in January, shortly after taking office. They argue that it is necessary to curtail the excessive powers of unelected judges. However, critics contend that it threatens the country’s system of checks and balances, potentially paving the way for authoritarian rule. President Joe Biden of the United States has urged Netanyahu to halt the plan and seek a broader consensus.

In March, Netanyahu temporarily paused the overhaul following intense protests and labor strikes. However, after failed compromise talks, he resumed the pursuit of the plan.

Despite his busy schedule, Netanyahu’s office has remained tight-lipped about his health and medical records over the years. A pacemaker is typically used when a patient’s heart beats too slowly or to treat heart failure, and patients usually return to regular activities within a few days after the procedure, with at least a day of hospitalization usually required.

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