Netanyahu's Wealth Built During Political Hiatus, Analysis Shows

An economic analysis presented on Channel 14 estimates Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's net worth at approximately 60 million shekels (about $16.5 million USD). The report, presented by economic commentator Avitar Ben Porat on the program "Shulchan Hamenatechim" (The Analysts' Table), detailed how Netanyahu's wealth was significantly accumulated during periods he was outside of political office.

Ben Porat's analysis factored in financial assets, investment portfolios, savings funds, and three real estate properties. The report highlighted that Netanyahu's financial success was particularly notable in the years following his 1999 election loss to Ehud Barak, a period he spent outside of government.

During this time, Netanyahu became a sought-after international speaker, reportedly earning around $50,000 per lecture through the Harry Walker Agency, according to Forbes. He also served as a consultant for technology companies like BETM and Electric Fuel, with his consultancy fees and stock options estimated by Forbes at $2.5 million. Additional income came from his books on terrorism, security, and policy, with a 1995 report indicating earnings of about 410,000 shekels from book royalties and lectures.

A major financial turning point occurred in 2007 when Netanyahu, then opposition leader, invested $600,000 in a partnership with NMSD, a company linked to his cousin Nathan Milikovsky's steel additive business. Three years later, he sold his stake for nearly $4.5 million, a return of over seven times his initial investment.

The majority of Netanyahu's wealth is concentrated in three prime real estate holdings: a villa in Caesarea valued at approximately 24 million shekels, a duplex on Gaza Street in Jerusalem's Rehavia neighborhood estimated at 13 million shekels, and a house in the Katamon neighborhood of Jerusalem, inherited with his brother Ido, where Netanyahu holds half the rights, valued at about 9 million shekels. These properties alone total around 46 million shekels.

Beyond real estate, the analysis included an investment portfolio managed in a blind trust, estimated at 15 million shekels, and accumulated savings from his public service, including a study fund, valued at approximately 1.4 million shekels, assuming a conservative 4% annual return. Ben Porat emphasized that Netanyahu's substantial wealth stems primarily from leveraging his international reputation in the free market during his inter-term years, rather than his long tenure in public service.