Minister Majadele undergoes head surgery
Doctors diagnose hemorrhage between culture minister's skull and brain. Majadele regains consciousness following operation, tells Ynet, 'I feel fine'
The minister regained consciousness Monday morning and spoke to his wife and assistants. He later told Ynet, "I feel fine and hope things will work out."
Majadele was hospitalized at the neurological department, where former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was treated after suffering two strokes.
The minister was rushed to hospital on Sunday after feeling unwell at the end of the government meeting. According to the doctors' diagnosis, he did not suffer a stroke. A hemorrhage was found between his skull and brain.
"I have been very tired recently after returning from a several-day visit to Japan," Majadele told Ynet. "I have been working hard, what can I do? It's exhausting. I returned straight to work on Thursday following an 18-hour flight, and went on tours on Thursday and Saturday."
Israel's first Arab minister
After feeling unwell during the government meeting, the minister was examined by a paramedic at the Prime Minister's Office and was later evacuated to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.
The medical tests, including MRI and CT, revealed a small hemorrhage on the back part of his head.
The doctors suggested a relatively simple operation, which included general anesthesia. According to Majadele's assistants, the successful operation began at 1:30 am and took 40 minutes. The minister regained consciousness early Monday morning.
"I am fine now," he told Ynet. "I would like to thank the medical staff for their devotion, the diagnosis and their quick and devoted treatment. Perhaps I should learn the lesson and ease the work pressure."
Majadele, 54, lives in the Arab Israeli town of Baka al-Gharbia. He is the father of two boys and two girls and a member of the Labor Party. Thirteen Months ago he was appointed Israel's first Arab minister.
At first he served as minister-without-portfolio at the Prime Minister's Office, and in March was appointed culture, science and sports minister, replacing resigning Minister Ophir Pines-Paz.
Cabinet Secretary Oved Yehezkel was updated on Majadele's condition throughout the night. The minister is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days.
