An Israeli lawmaker recently received the shock of his life when a tumor was discovered in his body, while undergoing medical tests in order to donate a kidney.
Ultra-Orthodox Shas party MK made the revelation earlier this week during an unusual and emotional speech at the Knesset, telling the plenum the tumor has been removed in a surgery and he is expected to make a full recovery.
"I wish to take advantage of this eventless time in the Knesset to thank God," Arbel said. At the end of his remarks, he was thanked by many MKs from all sides of the political spectrum.
MK Eitan Ginzburg from Blue & White, who chaired the Knesset session, told him: "We thank you for your words, MK Arbel, and wish you well."
The 39-year-old MK wished to make altruistic kidney donation - to any person who may need it. "I have quite a few friends at my age who did it and felt great afterwards," he said. "I recall Culture Minister Hili Tropper also donated a kidney. I'm almost 40, and I thought it could be a meaningful move that could save a life of another human," he added.
"I didn't wait for an orderly process, and about two months ago, I started doing the testing process independently through the family doctor."
The kidney ultrasound and CT tests he was asked to undertake, however, revealed a suspected tumor. Arbel consulted with several urologists and it was decided to operate on it. "The surgery was minimally invasive, performed using a robot, and the tumor was removed."
Since then, he has returned to a full routine, which is interrupted only by the congratulations he has been receiving from his colleagues from all across the political spectrum.
"I may have disagreements with many MKs, but personally I don't have bad relations with any of them. I was not surprised by the well wishes. After all, we are human beings. In such cases, the coalition and the opposition unite, and it's heart warming."
Eventually, MK Arbel did not donate a kidney because of his medical condition, but "the desire to contribute saved my life," he said.