Netanyahu discharged from hospital ahead of key judicial vote

INDEPENDENT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left the hospital following an operation to fit him with a pacemaker.

Netanyahu was admitted to Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv on Saturday night after doctors said a heart monitor had detected “temporary arrhythmia”.

The prime minister’s office and Sheba confirmed that he had been discharged on Monday.

Later in the day, he is set to attend parliament for the final readings of a key bill in the government’s controversial judicial reforms.

The bill would see the abolition of the “reasonableness standard”, eliminating the Supreme Court’s ability to block government decisions it deems unreasonable.

It’s part of a package of bills proposed by the government earlier this year, which is seeking to overhaul the judicial system in the country.

Proponents of the plan say it is necessary to restore the balance of power between government branches.

Opponents say it will remove checks and balances and undermine the independence of the judicial system.

Poll results reported by national broadcaster Kan found that 46 percent of Israelis opposed the amendment, while 35 percent were in favour and 19 percent undecided.

Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters began marching to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv last week, and are due to reach the Knesset building ahead of the vote on Monday.

“I have no choice,” Osnat Maimon, a participant in the march, told Middle East Eye. “It’s hard to walk in the sun and it’s hard to leave my kids at home, but I have no other choice.”