<p>Sara Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister's wife, was hospitalised Thursday with an appendix infection at Jerusalem's Hadassah Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to fly to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, a historic trip meant to cement new diplomatic ties between the Mideast nations and boost the embattled Israeli leader's re-election hopes. But his wife's hospitalisation casts doubt on whether the trip will take place.</p>.<p>Netanyahu is locked in a tight race against a field of challengers in Israel's fourth election in two years, and is sure to use the trip — 12 days before Israelis go to the polls — to his own political advantage.</p>.<p>The UAE became the third Arab nation after Egypt and Jordan to establish formal diplomatic ties with Israel in August.</p>.<p>Netanyahu has cast himself as a seasoned statesman uniquely qualified to lead the nation through turbulent times.</p>.<p>Thursday's visit, which has been delayed several times due to coronavirus restrictions, could help him divert attention from his upcoming corruption trial and anger over the economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis.</p>
<p>Sara Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister's wife, was hospitalised Thursday with an appendix infection at Jerusalem's Hadassah Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to fly to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, a historic trip meant to cement new diplomatic ties between the Mideast nations and boost the embattled Israeli leader's re-election hopes. But his wife's hospitalisation casts doubt on whether the trip will take place.</p>.<p>Netanyahu is locked in a tight race against a field of challengers in Israel's fourth election in two years, and is sure to use the trip — 12 days before Israelis go to the polls — to his own political advantage.</p>.<p>The UAE became the third Arab nation after Egypt and Jordan to establish formal diplomatic ties with Israel in August.</p>.<p>Netanyahu has cast himself as a seasoned statesman uniquely qualified to lead the nation through turbulent times.</p>.<p>Thursday's visit, which has been delayed several times due to coronavirus restrictions, could help him divert attention from his upcoming corruption trial and anger over the economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis.</p>