Netanyahu’s Prostate: A Slice of Surgery and a Dash of Drama

In a twist that could only happen in the Middle East’s political soap opera, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a break from his usual high-stakes drama to undergo what should be a routine procedure but turned into a national event – prostate surgery.

At Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center, where even the walls have seen more than their fair share of history, Netanyahu got his prostate removed in what officials described as a “successful” operation. You’d think managing wars, corruption trials, and now, a personal health crisis would be enough to make anyone consider a less stressful job, like, say, herding cats.

The 75-year-old leader, who’s been in power longer than some people have been alive, has been keen on portraying himself as the embodiment of vigor, often seen puffing on a cigar while claiming to work 18-hour days. But let’s face it, such a lifestyle might just be what led to this latest health detour.

Amidst a lineup of geriatric world leaders, including Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and even Pope Francis, Netanyahu joins the club of those whose age raises eyebrows and blood pressure monitors. His surgery not only postponed his corruption trial but also his image of undying energy. His lawyer, Amit Hadad, managed to convince the court that Netanyahu couldn’t testify while under the influence of anesthesia and hospital bed sheets, a plea the judges accepted faster than you can say “overruled.”

Dr. Ofer Gofrit, the urology maestro at Hadassah, announced the operation was a success with no signs of cancer, perhaps easing some minds but certainly not all, given Netanyahu’s penchant for keeping health issues under wraps until they’re as public as a press conference. Netanyahu, ever the cautious politician, thanked his doctors from an underground recovery room, which sounds like something out of a spy novel rather than a hospital setup.

With Netanyahu sidelined, Israel’s political fate was briefly in the hands of Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who must have felt like he was on a very short-term trial run for a much bigger job.

The timing couldn’t be more cinematic, with Netanyahu in recovery while international mediators play mediator bingo with Israel and Hamas, and as Israeli forces deal with Houthi rebels in Yemen. It’s as if Netanyahu’s health became another plot point in a region where every day feels like the season finale.

Netanyahu, who has a history of health scares from heart conditions to dehydration, has always maintained he’s in tip-top shape, often seen in action-hero gear on frontline visits. But last year’s pacemaker installation after a fainting spell didn’t exactly help his case, revealing a heart condition he knew about but kept quieter than a library during finals week.

Dr. Shay Golan, not directly involved but a commentator on the case, noted that the procedure for a benign prostate enlargement is quite standard. An hour on the table, a few days with a catheter, and voilà, back to the geopolitical chess game.

So, as Netanyahu recovers, one can only hope Israel’s political scene doesn’t get too chaotic without him. After all, in a land where every day is like living through a live-action episode of “24,” who knows what could happen next?