Israeli Parties Receive Election Advance Funds, Likud Leads With 37 Million Shekels

Israeli political parties have begun receiving state advances to fund their upcoming election campaigns, with the Likud party receiving the largest sum of 37 million shekels. Other major parties also received substantial amounts: Yesh Atid was allocated 32 million shekels, Shas received 16.14 million, and Benny Gantz's National Unity party (formerly Blue and White) was granted 9.7 million shekels. These advances, reported by Calcalist on September 15, are calculated based on the number of Knesset members a party had in the outgoing parliament, with each member qualifying the party for 80% of a "funding unit," valued at 1.835 million shekels. This means an advance of approximately 1.468 million shekels per Knesset member. Deductions are made for existing party debts or outstanding state loans; Likud's payment, for instance, was reduced by prior debt. Smaller parties and those newly formed also received funds, some under guarantees. The New Hope party received 5.8 million shekels despite its founder Gideon Sa'ar running with Likud, as its four outgoing Knesset members secured the advance. Parties not represented in the current Knesset can receive funds with state guarantees, which must be repaid if the party fails to cross the electoral threshold. Yisrael Beiteinu received 7.2 million shekels, Religious Zionism 8.8 million, and Otzma Yehudit 6.9 million. The Labor party, running with the Democrats, received 4.3 million shekels. Calcalist highlighted the potential financial risk for National Unity, which has received 9.7 million shekels but, according to recent polls, may not pass the electoral threshold, potentially requiring the return of a significant portion of the funds. Gantz has stated his intention to continue the campaign regardless of poll results. The final funding amounts will be determined after the October 27 election, factoring in post-election mandate numbers and any remaining debts or overpayments.