Shimon Peres Hospitalized After Experiencing Light Heart Attack
Former Israeli President Shimon Peres was transported to the Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv on Thursday morning, after experiencing chest pains. Peres is reportedly conscious and in stable condition.
“Peres arrived at the Sheba Medical Center after experiencing chest pains,” said the hospital’s spokesperson. He is fully conscious and in stable condition.”
According to Dr. Rafi Walden, Peres’ personal doctor, Peres suffered a light heart attack.
“Due to the quick treatment it was defined as a light heart attack,” explained Dr. Walden. “An artery was blocked and was successfully reopened during the operation. Blood is now flowing normally to his heart and he is in good condition.”
Earlier, Peres was described to have experienced chest pains. “This morning, former President Peres experienced chest pains,” said Peres’ spokeswoman Ayelet Frish. “His paramedic performed an electrocardiogram (EKG) test and saw changes in his EKG state.”
“Due to his age of 92, it was decided to transport him to the hospital for further examinations,” continued Frish. “President Peres is in good condition, fully conscious, and will stay in Sheba Medical Center for further examinations.”
Shimon Peres is a prominent figure in Israeli politics and history and was involved in politics for 66 years. Peres is well known for his contributions to the Oslo accords that started negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1993, leading to his being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with former Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin and former PLO head Yasser Arafat.
After Yitzchak Rabin’s assassination in 1995, Peres became interim prime minister until the next elections, when he lost to the Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2007, the Knesset elected Peres to presidency and he completed his seven-year term in 2014 at the age of 90.
Michael Bachner and Anav Silverman contributed to this article.