48,700 shekels, a car and three advisors: what a new Knesset member receives

Approximately 45 new Knesset members are expected to enter the parliament following the elections for the 26th Knesset, receiving a monthly gross salary of about 48,700 shekels, a company car, three advisors, rental assistance, and a public relations budget. The article details the salary conditions, benefits, and immunity granted to Knesset members upon their swearing-in.

Approximately 45 new Knesset members, who have never served in the Knesset before, are expected to enter the parliament following the elections for the 26th Knesset, held today (Tuesday). The highest number of new faces is expected in the Yashar party led by Gadi Eisenkot, where 14 out of the first 20 candidates have not previously served in the Knesset, followed by the Likud with ten. Upon their swearing-in, the elected members will receive a monthly gross salary of about 48,700 shekels, following a 2.4% update that took effect at the beginning of the year, after three years in which Knesset members' salaries were frozen. Additionally, Knesset members accumulate pension and study funds – a regular cumulative pension, not a budgetary pension that was abolished for Knesset members in 2003. Alongside the salary, each Knesset member is entitled to a company car or reimbursement for car expenses, and funding for communication services and a mobile phone. A Knesset member living outside Jerusalem is entitled to assistance of up to about 5,000 shekels per month for rent in the capital area. Each Knesset member may employ up to three parliamentary assistants, who are employed as civil servants and paid directly from the Knesset budget. In addition, they have an annual budget of about 95,000 to 100,000 shekels for public relations, such as advertising on social networks, consulting, and printing, which is reimbursed only against receipts. Beyond the conditions, the swearing-in grants Knesset members tools for parliamentary work: submitting private bills, questions to ministers, proposals for the agenda, and placement in Knesset committees. The law grants Knesset members immunity from criminal or civil liability for voting, expressing opinions, or acting in the performance of their duties, which continues even after the end of their term.