Israeli Parties Receive Millions in Election Advance Funding

Several Israeli political parties have received substantial advance funding from the state in preparation for upcoming elections. The Likud party received the largest sum, totaling 37 million shekels, after a portion of its past debts were deducted. Yesh Atid, running with Yair Lapid, secured 32 million shekels, while Shas received 16.14 million shekels. Blue and White, led by Benny Gantz, was allocated 9.7 million shekels, despite recent polls indicating it may not pass the electoral threshold. Gantz has vowed to continue the campaign regardless of survey results.

Newer parties also received significant funding. "Hope for a New Israel," founded by Gideon Sa'ar, received 5.8 million shekels. Sa'ar has since left the party to run on the Likud list, which has reserved a Knesset seat for a representative of "Hope for a New Israel." The party received 1.463 million shekels for each of its four outgoing Knesset members.

Other parties receiving advance payments include Yisrael Beiteinu with 7.2 million shekels, the Labor party with 4.3 million shekels, and the Religious Zionism party with 8.8 million shekels. Smaller parties and alliances also received funds, such as United Torah Judaism factions (Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah), Hadash, Ra'am, and Ta'al.

The party "Yisrael" led by Gadi Eisenkot received an advance of 3.67 million shekels, with the potential for up to 18.6 million shekels depending on submitted guarantees. Gilad Erdan's party, "Achi'ezer," received 2.35 million shekels, though Erdan has announced his party will not run in the elections. New parties were required to provide bank guarantees as a condition for receiving funds, to be used if they fail to pass the electoral threshold.