Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed rumors circulating recently about his health, dismissing reports that he’s battling a serious illness. During a conversation with podcaster Avi Shushan, he also responded to criticism of the media and discussed his personal situation.
When Shushan told him, “You look excellent. You look good, thank God, no evil eye. Because Channel 13 published cancer, they published things. I see you, I see a guy in full energy and strength,” Netanyahu replied: “Yes, you said it right. There are propaganda channels with some fictitious reality and there’s reality. You’re seeing reality.”
Asked how he’s doing, he answered briefly: “Excellent.” Later, when asked if his health is fine, he added: “Yes. I exercise, sleep, eat. I’d like to sleep a bit more, but overall it’s fine.”
״אני מרגיש מצוין ואין לי סרטן״ – ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו הודף את השמועות על מצב בריאותו
מתוך ראיון להכול פתוח – הפודקסט של אבי שושן
הפודקסט בחסות קבוצת הנדל״ן קבוצת דוניץ אלעד Dunietz-Elad Group
מצולם באולפני @eidomink תקשורת
חולצה: Gant pic.twitter.com/WVID3ntDzm
— Avi Shushan (@shushan_avi) July 20, 2026
Later in the conversation, the interview took a more personal turn. Shushan told Netanyahu: “You know, in small talk between us, I have to tell you, you’re very nice.” The prime minister responded that he hears this reaction often: “You know, people tell me when they meet me or Sara, they say: ‘Wait, this is so different from the image on television or on the channels.’ I say: ‘Of course, that’s the truth.'” According to him, the gap between the public image created for him and personal encounters with citizens repeats itself time and again.
Netanyahu ended the interview on an amusing note. After Shushan told him, “Like, you’re a hugger. Like, you don’t imagine Bibi as a hugger, but you’re a hugger,” the prime minister replied with a smile: “What exactly do you want me to do? Be platinum? Stand like this, not move?” The remark capped an interview that focused not only on his health but also on Netanyahu’s attempt to present a different image rom what he says is reflected in media coverage.