Former Israeli Lawmaker Shelly Yachimovich Reveals Pancreatic Cancer Battle

Shelly Yachimovich, former Knesset member and ex-chair of the Israeli Labor Party, disclosed on Sunday that she has been battling pancreatic cancer. She revealed that the tumor was detected eight months ago at an early stage without metastasis, and she underwent immediate surgery. Since then, multiple CT scans have shown no recurrence of the tumor, but she continues to receive intensive chemotherapy every two weeks as a precaution against this aggressive cancer.

Yachimovich shared her experience on Twitter, emphasizing that despite the difficult treatment, she does not feel despair or fear. She reflected on the tragic loss of many young lives in Israel since October 7, which gives her perspective and a sense of gratitude for her own fulfilling life. She described maintaining a relatively normal routine, including cycling and socializing, while managing the side effects of chemotherapy.

She expressed deep appreciation for the medical teams at Ichilov Hospital and the Ben Yehuda Clinic in Clalit Health Services, praising their professionalism and dedication despite overwhelming workloads. Yachimovich stated she trusts modern medicine and is committed to doing everything possible to recover and prevent the cancer’s return, while also preparing herself mentally for less optimistic outcomes.

Her public disclosure aims to answer questions from those outside her close circle and to share her journey candidly, highlighting both the challenges and the support she has received.