Israeli Election Candidates Secure Millions in Campaign Guarantees

As the upcoming elections draw nearer, several Israeli political party leaders are actively securing financial backing. Ofer Vinter, chairman of the Am Ehad party, has raised an additional 6.45 million shekels in guarantees. Businessman Barry Klein provided Vinter with a 3 million shekel guarantee, while another businessman, Jay Foreman, previously contributed 2.95 million shekels. The party also secured five loans totaling 3.364 million shekels from Mizrahi Tefahot Bank and received 43,000 shekels in donations.

Meanwhile, Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Together party, has raised 1.5 million shekels in new guarantees this week. Businessman Yossef Nir contributed 1 million shekels, and Steven Levy provided 500,000 shekels. Levy, a former commander of Bennett's in Sayeret Matkal, defended Bennett against allegations of being dismissed from the unit due to reliability issues. The Together party is running on a joint list with Yesh Atid, which recently received a 32 million shekel advance from the state for its election funding.

Other parties are also reporting significant fundraising. The Reservists party, led by Yoaz Hendel, has raised a total of 2 million shekels from 11 guarantees. Hendel is running on a joint list with Yaron Zelekha of the Economic party, who has raised funds separately. Gadi Eisenkot's Yishay! party has secured 27 guarantees totaling 16.5 million shekels, along with 326 donations amounting to 2.1 million shekels.