Netanyahu injures leg playing soccer

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu injured his leg on Monday during a soccer match with Jewish and Arab youths. Following the game, Netanyahu was taken to Jerusalem's Hadassah Har Hatzofim medical center, where doctors confirmed he had torn a tendon and his leg needed to be put in a cast for several weeks.

Netanyahu's physicians confirmed that he had been injured.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, during the soccer match, Netanyahu "slipped on the grass, got up, continued to play and scored a goal."

The PM was initially examined by Orthopedic Trauma Dr. Leon Kaplan who diagnosed the torn tendon. The diagnosis was confirmed at the hospital with a CT scan.

Netanyahu scores a goal (Photo: Moshe Milner, GPO)

Doctors put Netanyahu's leg in a cast. The Prime Minister's Office said he was sent home to rest and will return to work on Tuesday.

"I took part in today's game to promote tourism in Israel, to present the true face of the State of Israel," Netanyahu said later in a video message from his home.

"During the game I tore a tendon. This wasn't exactly the European Football Championship, which I will be watching along with many Israeli citizens. But tomorrow I will go back to the Prime Minister's Office and continue to play on other fields for the benefit of the State of Israel," he said.

Following Netanyahu's injury, the Likud Party meeting, which was set to take place on Monday, was canceled.

Netanyahu's office said he took part in the game as part of an international project promoting Israeli tourism. The 62-year-old prime minister is an avid soccer fan.

AP contributed to this report

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