Histadrut Doubles Advertising Spending Following 'Hand Shaking' Corruption Scandal

Since the exposure of the "Hand Shaking" corruption scandal involving Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David at the end of 2025, the Histadrut has dramatically increased its advertising expenditures. Data reveals that in 2025, the organization spent approximately 14 million shekels on radio and television advertising, averaging about 7 million shekels per half-year. However, in the first half of 2026 alone, the Histadrut spent nearly 18 million shekels on advertising, nearly tripling the previous year's half-year spending. This surge raises questions about whether the increased spending aims to rehabilitate the organization's damaged public image and how these campaigns are financed, given that the funds come from workers' contributions.

The spike in advertising costs coincides directly with the fallout from the "Hand Shaking" scandal, which severely harmed the Histadrut's reputation. Observers suggest that senior officials decided to invest heavily in public relations to restore the organization's standing. Despite these concerns, the Histadrut issued a statement denying any increase in the approved advertising budget for 2026 compared to 2025, attributing the spending pattern to a large-scale campaign during the 2026 World Cup broadcasts, a recurring event that also influenced advertising in previous years.

The Histadrut also rejected any connection between its advertising activities and attempts to influence legal proceedings or law enforcement, emphasizing that its communication and advertising policies are managed professionally and comply with all laws. The organization declined to comment further on speculation regarding its public relations strategy. Meanwhile, Arnon Bar-David remains a central figure in the ongoing legal and public scrutiny following the scandal.