Israeli Minister Dudi Amsalem Hospitalized After Heart Attack, Released in Good Condition

Israeli Minister for Regional Cooperation Dudi Amsalem was hospitalized over the weekend following a cardiac event and released Tuesday morning in stable condition, his office confirmed. The 65-year-old Likud minister, who serves multiple roles in the current government, underwent several days of medical observation at Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Hospital before being cleared to return home.

According to an initial statement from Amsalem's office Tuesday morning, the minister "suffered a heart attack on Saturday night and was hospitalized." The announcement emphasized that his condition was good and that he had been discharged home following the medical episode.

Later in the day, the minister's office issued a clarification regarding the timeline and severity of the incident. "Following this morning's publications, we wish to clarify that on Sunday, Minister Dudi Amsalem felt unwell and experienced a mild cardiac event," the updated statement read. "The minister was treated immediately and professionally at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, from which he was released home in excellent condition."

The statement added that Amsalem "is currently resting at home, feels well, and continues from there to fully manage and operate his ministry's activities."

In a personal message, Amsalem expressed gratitude to the medical staff and the public. "I thank from the bottom of my heart the medical team at Shaare Zedek for their professional treatment, and all the thousands of citizens and friends who have been inquiring about my wellbeing and flooding me with love since this morning," he stated. "I feel excellent, I've returned to work, and I wish all of us only health and good news."

Amsalem holds several key positions in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Beyond his role as Minister for Regional Cooperation, he serves as a minister in the Justice Ministry and as the government's liaison to the Knesset. He previously held the Communications Ministry portfolio and has been a prominent voice in recent months defending the haredi community against what he characterizes as persecution over military draft issues.

The minister has been at the center of several high-profile confrontations in recent weeks. Just two weeks ago, Amsalem launched a fierce attack on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara during a Knesset plenum session, accusing her of targeting the Torah world. "There is an accounting, you have a special place in hell," he declared from the Knesset podium, referring to the wave of arrests of yeshiva students avoiding military service.

In a radio interview the following day, Amsalem elaborated on his criticism. "The Attorney General is pursuing the Torah world in an obsessive manner," he told Galei Yisrael. "Nothing like this has ever happened to Torah learners — even the greatest antisemites didn't behave this way."

The minister has also been involved in internal government tensions. Approximately one month ago, a heated exchange erupted between Amsalem and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during a cabinet meeting, escalating to the point where Prime Minister Netanyahu was forced to intervene. "Exercise self-control, if you want to continue showing how much you're not leaders — do it outside," Netanyahu reportedly told the two ministers as their shouting match threatened to derail the session.

Amsalem's hospitalization comes at a particularly intense period in Israeli politics, with ongoing debates over judicial reform, military conscription for the haredi sector, and budget negotiations. His multiple ministerial roles make him a key figure in government operations, particularly in managing coalition relations and advancing the government's agenda in the Knesset.

The minister's office emphasized that despite the health scare, Amsalem remains fully engaged in his duties and is managing his ministry's operations from home during his recovery period.