Steinitz briefly in charge as PM undergoes medical check-up

Netanyahu under sedation for half an hour during routine gastrointestinal-related procedure

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, May 22, 2016. (Emil Salman/Pool)

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz was set to fill in temporarily for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, as the premier underwent a gastrointestinal medical procedure.

The prime minister was set to be sedated for half an hour during what was described as a monitoring routine, according to a statement from his office.

The statement did not specify when the check-up would take place.

The prime minister has been under urological monitoring since last year.

In August, Netanyahu received a clean bill of health at his annual check-up. In the annual medical report for the prime minister, his personal doctor, Dr. Tzvi Berkovich, reported the premier’s health to be “excellent,” and said that Netanyahu maintains a “healthy lifestyle and healthy eating habits.”

The August report included the results of a series of medical tests, and noted that a polyp was removed earlier this year, but was found to be benign.

The prime minister, 66, underwent a series of tests, including heart and lungs, urological, ear, nose and throat and gastrointestinal inspections for the annual report. The lab tests showed “normal” results, the report said.

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