Likud Lawmakers Facing Primary Defeat Eligible for Substantial Transition Grants

Following the recent Likud primaries and polls indicating significant changes in the party's Knesset list, political analyst Zvi Zarhiya revealed details about transition grants for outgoing members of Knesset (MKs). Zarhiya explained that any MK who retires is entitled to a transition grant starting from their second year in office. This applies across parties, with 17 Likud MKs expected to step down, alongside members from Yesh Atid and other parties.

The grants vary based on tenure: veteran MKs who retire can receive up to 312,000 shekels, while those serving only the current term are entitled to three months' salary, approximately 156,000 shekels. There are intermediate amounts for those with six years of service. Zarhiya noted some dissatisfaction among senior MKs regarding the cap of six months' salary for these grants, arguing that private sector workers with 15 years of experience would receive more substantial severance.

He emphasized that MKs are public employees, not typical private-sector workers, and many of the more skilled and connected MKs often secure lucrative positions with business tycoons after their political careers end. This financial support system follows arrangements established in previous years and is now particularly relevant given the expected turnover in the upcoming 2026 elections.