Begin in Hospital, Reported ‘stable’

Former Prime Minister Menachem Begin was hospitalized Wednesday after complaining that he felt ill.

A senior physician at Sha’are Zedek Hospital said Begin’s condition was “stable” and probably not related to past heart attacks he has suffered.

Begin has lived in virtual seclusion since he suddenly resigned from office in the fall of 1983.

The 77-year-old Begin was admitted to the geriatric section of the hospital, which is nearest to his Jerusalem home.

The hospital’s deputy medical director, Motti Lifschitz, told reporters, “Mr. Begin felt bad this morning, and his doctors examined him and decided he should be admitted to the hospital for tests and supervision.”