Israeli ex-pm Benjamin Netanyahu admitted to hospital after fast day

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Israeli ex-pm Benjamin Netanyahu admitted to hospital after fast day

The former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was taken to a hospital after he was unwell during the Jewish fasting day of Yom Kippur.

Israel s public broadcaster, Kan, said Netanyahu, 72, was taken to Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek hospital after feeling chest pains while attending synagogue services. Local media quoted the hospital as saying he underwent a series of tests that came out normal but was kept under observation overnight.

In a statement on social media, Netanyahu said he felt better and thanked everyone for the support and love. The hospitalisation comes less than a month before Israel holds its fifth national election in less than four years.

The 1 November election, like the previous four, is largely focused on whether voters believe Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, is fit to lead the nation.

The Likud party finishes first, but it remains unclear if allied parties will capture enough seats to form a majority coalition government in parliament.

Yom Kippur, the annual day of atonement on the Jewish calendar, is marked by intense prayer and a 25 hour fast.