Netanyahu twice 'smuggled' to hospital for routine tests, amid elaborate deceptions

Security guards disguised as pest-controllers for one visit, TV report says; another involved a pita-delivery van; prostate tests found nothing untoward

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was twice “smuggled” into the hospital late at night for medical checkups in recent months — once in a vehicle disguised as a pita-delivery van; and once in a vehicle disguised as a pest-control van with his security guards dressed up as pest-controllers as they surrounded him, Israeli television reported Monday night.

The medical tests, which Netanyahu’s personal doctor reportedly confirmed were routine prostate exams, found “nothing uncharacteristic for a man of his age.” One of the tests was carried out before the March 17 elections, and the second a few weeks ago, the report said.

The Channel 2 item claimed that Netanyahu, 65, was lightly anesthetized “and therefore essentially sleeping” during the tests; his doctor said he was not given anesthetics and was fully alert throughout.

The tests took place at the Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center, an ultra-Orthodox hospital in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bnei Brak, and were administered by a Dr. Gatt and a Dr. Goren.

Netanyahu’s personal physician Dr. Tzvi Berkovitz said reports on the prime minister’s medical procedures were provided a month ago to the relevant authorities as required.

The Channel 2 report did not explain why Netanyahu was taken to a relatively obscure hospital, and why such elaborate security deceptions were involved.