Last update - 00:00 13/09/2006
Shas' Ovadia Yosef released after overnight hospitalization
By Jack Khoury and Rali Sa'ar, Haaretz Correspondents
Former chief rabbi and spiritual leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, was released from hospital Thursday after he was rushed to hospital on Wednesday evening complaining of chest pains.
Yosef was hospitalized after describing the symptoms of a heart attack after landing by helicopter in Acre, where he was to attend a conference.
Head of cardiology at West Galilee Hospital Nathan Rugin said Yosef underwent several tests that were all fine, that he did not have a heart attack and that it was unnecessary to administer cardiac catheterization.
The 86-year-old rabbi told Haaretz while making his way back to Jerusalem that he is feeling well and he wishes a happy new Jewish year for the people of Israel.
Infrastructure Minister Eli Yishai, Communications Minister Ariel Attias and Attias' son were by Yosef's side during his hospitalization.