Professor Yaron Zelekha's High Salary Sparks Knesset Debate

Professor Yaron Zelekha, slated to be the second candidate on the joint electoral list with Yoaz Hendel, has earned approximately 14.3 million shekels before taxes from Ono Academic College over seven years, with his earnings extending until 2025. According to the college's annual reports, Zelekha's 2023 salary reached 2.43 million shekels, averaging about 203,000 shekels per month, as reported by the economic publication "Calcalist." The former chief auditor of the Ministry of Finance was the second highest-paid employee at the college, earning more than its CEO.

Zelekha stated that if elected to the Knesset, he would need to significantly reduce his income but is willing to do so for public service and to address the high cost of living in Israel. Ono Academic College, registered as a non-profit organization, is required to disclose the salaries of its five highest-paid employees annually. Zelekha has appeared on these lists since 2017, except for 2018, consistently listed as a full-time senior academic staff member, heading the accounting department.

His salary surpassed that of Ono's CEO, Ranan Hartman, starting in 2020. In 2023, the difference was 465,000 shekels. Only one other academic staff member earned more that year, with a salary of 2.6 million shekels. Zelekha's salary saw a notable increase of 17.2% in 2023, reaching 2.43 million shekels. In 2021, when Zelekha founded the New Economic Party, he reportedly worked full-time for all 12 months. His salary in 2024 was 2.41 million shekels, dropping to approximately 1.99 million in 2025, moving him to third place among the highest earners, though the reasons for the decrease are not specified in the reports.

These salary figures come as Ono Academic College experienced a successful financial year in 2025, with revenues increasing by 10.7% to 555 million shekels and its annual surplus more than doubling to 30.6 million. The college, which relies on tuition fees for almost all its income, is not subject to government salary restrictions applicable to publicly funded universities. In contrast, university presidents' salaries are capped at around 82,000 shekels monthly, and CEOs at about 64,000 shekels.

In addition to his college position, Zelekha provided paid economic consulting services, primarily to workers' committees, including collaboration with the "Noga" company's workers' committee and former Histadrut chairman Avi Nissenkorn. While Ono Academic College declined to comment on faculty salaries, Zelekha reiterated his commitment to public service despite potential income loss. A representative from the college confirmed he still holds his position, and college sources indicate he may continue working for up to six months after election to the Knesset, although Knesset legal counsel advises prompt cessation of other professional activities.