Nir Barkat Spent Nearly Double Primary Election Expense Limit

Analysis of filings with the State Comptroller reveals that candidates in the Likud party's primary elections raised approximately 1.3 million shekels in total. Minister of Economy Nir Barkat leads the pack, reporting about 730,000 shekels in campaign funds, all of which came from his private finances. This amount nearly doubles the legal spending limit for primary candidates, which is set at 380,000 shekels, encompassing both income from donations and personal funds.

Barkat, who secured 15th place nationally with around 23,000 votes and was placed 24th on the Likud list, stated that he is not using public funds for his campaign. However, he is entitled to a 380,000 shekel reimbursement from state funds as a Knesset member, which also serves as the maximum allowed expenditure and income threshold. In a previous primary election, Barkat was fined 50,000 shekels for exceeding the spending limit by approximately 70%.

Sources in the State Comptroller's office indicated that the matter would be investigated, and Barkat could face a fine if he indeed exceeded the limit. Barkat's office maintains that the final expense report has not yet been submitted and that the reported sum may not have been entirely spent on the campaign, with some funds potentially allocated for other purposes or unused.

In other primary results, Efi Naveh reported 13,000 shekels from his brother and 12,000 shekels from a business partner, among other donations, placing 36th on the list. Dean Milo and Dor Harlap raised 85,000 and 67,000 shekels respectively, while Zvi Al Rubin raised 50,000 shekels, with none of them securing high positions on the list.