Israeli PM Residences Spend 2.7 Million Shekels in 18 Months, Documents Reveal

The Freedom of Information Movement has disclosed detailed expenses of the Israeli Prime Minister's residences for 2025 and the first half of 2026 following a legal petition. According to documents released by the Prime Minister's Office, total spending on the residences reached nearly 2 million shekels in 2025 and approximately 730,000 shekels in the first half of 2026. Notably, for the first time, the private residence on Gaza Street was officially classified as a private residence in the records.

Among the expenses in 2025 were 165,444 shekels spent on food, 94,957 shekels on gardening in the Caesarea residence, and 2,700 shekels on food delivery via Wolt in August alone. Other costs included 10,590 shekels for preventive treatment of root intrusion under the Caesarea home. Some expenditures totaling 63,033 shekels were blacked out with no supplier or description provided.

In the first half of 2026, expenses included 53,584 shekels on food, nearly 15,000 shekels for replacing a bathtub at the private Gaza Street residence, 31,509 shekels for electricity, and various maintenance costs. The official residence at Balfour Street, currently under renovation, was listed as "support apartments."

Hidi Negev, CEO of the Freedom of Information Movement, criticized the lack of proactive transparency, stating that the revelations only came after court action. He emphasized the importance of responsible and transparent public spending, especially during times of economic hardship and ongoing conflict. Negev called for regular, voluntary disclosure of such expenses to uphold public oversight and trust.