Vice Premier Shimon Peres is almost home from the medical wars and in a fighting, feisty mood in his bed at the Emek Hospital in Afula.
So says Yediot Achronot reporter Orli Azulai-Katz, who was the first journalist allowed to see Peres since the 66-year-old finance minister was hospitalized last week with chills and a fever.
Peres, who is also leader of the Labor Party, was stricken while touring Druse villages in northern Israel on Oct. 17. Doctors found he had a urinary tract infection that spread though his bloodstream, a serious condition if not treated.
Peres described his ordeal with good humor. “It’s all a big show. I just wanted a few days far from the madding crowd,” he said.
Peres is working in bed, reading and receiving visitors. Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin dropped by Tuesday. He told reporters that Peres “seemed fine,” adding, “but I’m no doctor.”
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