Audit Shows Netanyahu’s 2025 Residence Costs Near One Million Shekels

The Freedom of Information Movement disclosed the costs associated with the prime minister’s residences for 2025 and the first half of 2026 on Tuesday.

This year marked the first occasion that the private‑residence category encompassed the Gaza Street dwelling, other private homes, and the extra Caesarea property. Meanwhile, the official Balfour Street residence, currently under renovation, is listed as “support apartments.”

Almost NIS 65,000 of Netanyahu’s Expenses Remain Unexplained

In 2025, residence-related expenditures totaled NIS 1,979,517. Food purchases accounted for NIS 165,444, with an extra NIS 2,700 spent on Wolt deliveries in August 2025.

Gardening at the Caesarea residence cost NIS 94,957, while preventive root‑barrier treatment amounted to NIS 10,590.

An amount of NIS 63,033 was fully redacted, with no information disclosed about the supplier or the nature of the expense.

During the first six months of 2026, residence expenses reached NIS 731,081, of which NIS 53,584 was allocated to food purchases.

Maintenance costs and supplies totaled NIS 42,698. This included NIS 14,986 for replacing the bathtub at the Gaza Street private residence, NIS 31,509 paid to the Israel Electric Corporation, and NIS 4,657 for swapping thermostats at the Caesarea residence.

Freedom of Information Movement Leader Criticizes Need for Court Petition

“Once again we had to go to court to uncover the prime minister’s residence expenses, and once again we exposed a wasteful use of public funds at those properties,” said Attorney Hidi Negev, executive director of the Freedom of Information Movement.

“Given the current economic strain and wartime repercussions facing the public, responsible and fully transparent handling of public spending is essential. Such data ought to be released proactively and on a regular basis, rather than only after litigation forces disclosure.”

“A well‑functioning system ensures that these expenditures are transparent and readily available to the public, fulfilling the duty to oversee and monitor the use of public money.”

The Prime Minister’s Office responded, stating that “the figures released indicate that the residence expenses during Prime Minister Netanyahu’s term are markedly lower than those recorded under previous premiers.”

“For instance, during Naftali Bennett’s year in office, ongoing residence costs (excluding personnel and security) amounted to NIS 1,370,362. In the comparable period under Prime Minister Netanyahu, the figure was only NIS 465,319—less than a third of Bennett’s total.”

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