Likud Blocks Pre-Election Passage of 'Bennett Law' to Recover Party Debts
The Likud party attempted on the morning of a Knesset committee meeting to pass the so-called "Bennett Law" before the upcoming elections. This proposed legislation aimed to require Naftali Bennett, chairman of the "Yachad" party, to repay approximately 15 million shekels in outstanding debts owed by his former party, Yamina, to the Knesset before transferring around 10 million shekels raised for his new party "Bennett 2026". However, the Knesset's legal advisor, Attorney Shagit Afik, blocked the effort, stating that it was not possible to address the issue in the limited time remaining before the Knesset dissolves on July 16, 2026.
The issue was raised by Likud MKs Ofir Katz and Avichai Boaron during a discussion on recommendations from the public committee on party financing. The committee suggested easing financial burdens on parties by about 33 million shekels. Katz argued that parties that receive funds but do not repay them should not be allowed to run again without settling debts. Boaron, who submitted the "Bennett Law" proposal, demanded that its main points be incorporated into ongoing legislation regarding party election financing. He compared unpaid party debts to a business owner declaring bankruptcy while hiding behind limited liability.
Dr. Ron Shapira, chair of the public committee, said the matter should be legislated after the elections, while committee member Professor David Hahn highlighted the complex legal questions about how party debts relate to individuals who move between parties. Both Afik and the Knesset committee's legal advisor, Arbel Astrakhan, emphasized that no discussion could take place before the elections.
Knesset Accountant Elisaf Elazar reported that non-parliamentary parties currently owe about 31 million shekels in debts, including Meretz (10 million), Yamina (15 million), Independence (4 million), and others. Some parties have agreements to allocate 20% of future fundraising to debt repayment. The committee approved submitting a bill based on its recommendations, which include increasing the election financing unit per MK from 1.638 million to 1.835 million shekels, raising the fixed financing per list from 1.835 million to 2.579 million shekels, and restructuring party debt payments. The total estimated increase in public funding for party elections is 33 million shekels.
