Israeli Election Candidates' Medical Records Remain Largely Secret

With less than a month until the elections, the medical status of the four main party leaders vying for the prime minister position is not publicly known. This follows an inquiry made by N12 five months prior, which prompted many politicians to pledge to release medical reports. N12 has re-contacted the candidates to ascertain their current intentions regarding the disclosure of their health records.

In April, Gadi Eisenkot's office stated they would agree to publish a medical report. Last week, the Yahad party reiterated this, saying they would agree to reveal Eisenkot's medical file if he is elected prime minister, emphasizing the obligation to publish an annual report on the prime minister's health.

Avigdor Lieberman's office also agreed to release a medical report in April. However, repeated attempts by N12 to get a response from his office last week regarding his current intentions were unsuccessful.

Naftali Bennett's office did not respond to N12's inquiry in April. Last week, his party, Yahad, refused to comment on the matter or Bennett's health status.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a partial medical document about six months ago and has chosen not to publish a new report, stating that the prime minister is healthy. The existing directive mandates the prime minister to publish an annual medical report, but this rule does not apply to other party leaders.

Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists-Economic party, did provide N12 with information about his good health shortly after the previous article was published. Past prime ministers who have released medical information include Benjamin Netanyahu, Yair Lapid, and Ehud Olmert, following a precedent set after Ariel Sharon's stroke.