BySARAH BEN-NUN
Updated:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sick with intestinal inflammation after eating some bad food and will be on bed rest for the next three days, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Sunday.

It added that he is feeling better and is being treated at Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem. After feeling unwell on Saturday night, the prime minister was examined by Prof. Alon Hershko, chairman of the center’s Department of Medicine C, and received IV fluids for dehydration.

The PMO said that he would “handle state matters from home.” This means that he won’t be able to attend his two criminal trial hearings that were scheduled for this week – on Monday and Tuesday; hearings will only resume in September when the courts return from break.

Later on Sunday, Netanyahu's legal team requested from the courts that his testimony be officially canceled for this week.

Earlier, it was announced that the Monday hearing was due to begin late, at 2 p.m., and end at 5 p.m., and that it would be behind closed doors. Ordinarily, Netanyahu’s testimony hearings take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to the courtroom at the Distrcit court in Tel Aviv, before the start of his testimony in the trial against him, June 3, 2025.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to the courtroom at the Distrcit court in Tel Aviv, before the start of his testimony in the trial against him, June 3, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Netanyahu's team offered that he testify on Wednesday instead.

The prime minister has been testifying twice a week in the cross-examination section of his trial for several weeks now, though hearings were canceled due to the Iran attacks and Netanyahu’s diplomatic visit to the United States last month.

Case 1000 focuses on the relationship between Netanyahu and Milchan

The prosecution’s questioning has been on Case 1000, the focus of which is the nature of the friendship between Netanyahu and billionaire Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. The prime minister is on trial for advancing legislation favorable to his friend while in a position of power to do so, while receiving gifts from him in the form of cigars and champagne.

Milchan had been involved in security operations, so if and when the questioning reaches sensitive materials, the hearings will switch to a closed-door setting.

Bini Aschkenasy contributed to this report.