Finance minister hospitalized after fainting
Yuval Steinitz faints in his home several hours before meeting on recent price-hike wave at PM's Office. Hospital sources say he's in good condition, to remain hospitalized for additional tests
Pressure taking its toll? Several hours prior to a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the recent price-hike wave Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz fainted in his home Wednesday and was taken to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.
A hospital source said the minister was doing well and would remain hospitalized for the next 24 hours in order to undergo more tests. He has already undergone tests in his heart and is being checked for exhaustion.
The 9:30 am meeting was scheduled to include senior figures in the Israeli economy, Finance Ministry officials and Bank of Israel officials.
The Prime Minister's office said at first that Benjamin Netanyahu would convene a press conference at 6 pm Wednesday and announce a plan to drop prices. After his meeting with heads of the Histadrut labor federation and Manufacturers' Association ended without any results, Netanyahu said the press conference would be postponed to Thursday due to Steinitz's illness.
Netanyahu telephoned Steinitz, who told him he was looking forward to returning back to work.
'I forgot to eat and drink'
Speaking from his hospital bed Wednesday morning, Steinitz told Army Radio, "I probably have the flu and I recommend to all the people of Israel not to do what I did yesterday – don't forget to eat and drink. Next time I'll remember to have at least one meal with a drink."
Steinitz told his interviewer: "I feel good. I'm a little weak, a little tired. I haven't slept in 24 hours, but I'm okay.
"It turns out that being the finance minister is not easy," he added. "But it's a very interesting and challenging role, and I am glad that in the past two years we managed to deal with a global financial crisis and prevent the terrible social and economic damages we see all over the world today.
"I think this government has made unusual economic and social accomplishments. As we look at most countries of the developed world, we know that we have managed to prevent those same damages."
Dr. Yuval Weiss, director of the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, told reporters that Steinitz was suffering from exhaustion. "Finance Minister Steinitz arrived at the hospital in the night, suffering from weakness and general exhaustion. He underwent a series of tests and was found to be in good shape. Following a doctors' consultation, it was decided to keep him in the hospital till tomorrow morning for additional tests."
The finance minister has been under a lot of pressure lately over the rising gas, water and food prices. He has been subject to criticism within his own party, Likud. Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Wednesday that the recent price-hike wave has taken a rough toll on the relationship between Netanyahu and Steinitz.
According to the report, the Finance Ministry has proposed a plan to block the price-hike at the expense of lateral government budget cuts. The plan was presented to the prime minister Tuesday. The most significant change the plan proposes is withdrawing the recent gas tax rise. The Finance Ministry estimates this will cost the State some NIS 2.6 billion.
The other clauses are meant to provide relief for the weaker sectors, but not the middle class which has also been affected by the price-hike. This will include reducing public transportation rates, withdrawing the recent subsidized bread price rise and dropping water prices according to income.
To support this plan, the Finance Ministry proposes a 2%-3% lateral cut in the government ministries' budget which will likely prompt opposition within the government.
Meital Yasur-Beit Or, Yair Altman, Attila Somfalvi and Yair Hasson contributed to this report
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