Netanyahu reveals prostate cancer, recovery; had radiation therapy without informing public

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed Friday that he recently underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer, but had held off on informing the public, claiming Iran would have used the information to spread propaganda against Israel in the middle of the recent war.

The premier, 76, included the information in a lengthy social media post that accompanied the release of his annual health assessment. He did not specify when he underwent the “targeted treatment,” but said that the problem was removed: “Thank God, I beat this, too.”

In a video statement on Friday afternoon, Hadassah Medical Center’s Prof. Aron Popovtzer confirmed that Netanyahu had a tumor measuring 0.9 centimeters that was early-stage adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

The doctor said it was discovered “several months ago,” during routine monitoring following Netanyahu’s December 2024 prostate removal surgery. Popovtzer emphasized that such diseases are common among men of Netanyahu’s age, 76.

Netanyahu was given the option of either continuing to follow up on the tumor or receiving radiation treatment and chose the latter, Popovtzer said.

“Two and a half months ago,” the doctor said, Netanyahu underwent the radiation treatment. “After the treatment, two and a half months later” — apparently very recently, according to the doctor’s timeline — “the prime minister underwent a check including imaging and blood tests.”

“We can say based on the results of these tests that the disease has disappeared,” said Popovtzer, director of the Sharett Oncology Institute at Hadassah, where the prime minister underwent the treatment. “The prime minister will continue with routine follow-up.”

Besides the tumor, Netanyahu’s annual assessment found the premier to be in good health, with all blood tests and physical fitness tests coming back normal.

The assessment also noted that Netanyahu’s heart is in good health and that there have been no issues since he had a pacemaker implanted in July 2023. The pacemaker procedure was one of several medical incidents the premier has experienced in recent years, including the December 2024 prostate removal surgery and hernia surgery in March 2024.

Both the pacemaker and the hernia episodes exposed Netanyahu to criticism for withholding information from the public regarding his health.

Netanyahu, in his Friday social media post, said he delayed the release of his medical report by two months as he wanted to prevent “the terrorist regime in Iran from spreading more false propaganda against Israel.” At the height of the fighting in March, rumors circulated online that Netanyahu had been injured or killed.

“I would like to share three things with you,” Netanyahu wrote on X. “1 — Thank God, I am healthy. 2 — I am in excellent physical shape. 3 — I had a small medical problem with my prostate that was completely treated.”

He appeared to draw a link in the post between his decision to undergo radiation treatment and his approach to geopolitics.

“You already know me. When I am informed in a timely manner about a possible danger, I want to address it immediately,” he wrote. “This is true on a national level as well as a personal level.”

He wrote that he “underwent targeted treatment that removed the problem and left no trace of it.”

He thanked “the doctors and the wonderful medical teams at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem” and urged all Israeli citizens: “Take care of your health. Get checked, and follow the doctors’ instructions.”

He ended with a Shabbat eve prayer “for the peace of our wounded in body and soul,” and sent them a “warm embrace” and wished for their speedy recovery.

The post came roughly six months before Israel is due to hold elections. If reelected to another term, Netanyahu will stand to be the oldest prime minister in Israel’s history.