Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett donates blood in memory of Sgt. First Class Yona Betzalel Brief, March 27, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/FLASH90)
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who has been rumored to be eyeing possible return to politics and run for the premiership, has been hospitalized after feeling unwell.
By World Israel News Staff
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was hospitalized Sunday morning, after he reported feeling unwell while exercising.
Bennett was admitted to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, near his hometown of Ra’anana.
After being admitted, Bennett underwent a cardiac catheterization, hospital officials said.
A spokesperson for the former premier said in a statement to the media that Bennett reported feeling well after the procedure, and that the cardiac catheterization was completed without incident.
The former prime minister will remain under observation at Meir Hospital until he is cleared by doctors for release.
The 53-year-old former software entrepreneur was Israel’s 13th prime minister, serving for one year and 17 days, making him the second shortest-serving premier in Israel’s history, ahead of Yair Lapid, with whom he shared a government.
Opposition Leader MK Lapid issued a statement wishing Bennett a quick recovery.
“Naftali, brother, feel good, the people of Israel need you.”
Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz also issued a statement, “wishing good health to my friend, Naftali.”
Earlier this month, Bennett registered a new political party under the temporary name “Bennett 2026,” referring to the tentative date for the next Knesset election, which must be held no later than October 27, 2026.
The move fueled widespread speculation that Bennett is planning to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the premiership.
Recent polls show Bennett as the front-runner in a new election, with his new party receiving 29 seats in a new poll, released on Friday, by Israel’s Ma’ariv newspaper, making it the largest faction in the Knesset.
The ruling Likud party, by contrast, would fall from its current 32 seats to just 19 if Bennett led a new party in the next election, the poll found.
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