Advances, millions, and debts: The complete guide to party financing | Elections 2026

A comprehensive guide to party financing in the 2026 elections in Israel. Almost all the money (99.7% in the 2022 elections) comes from state funding. The funding is calculated in 'funding units', varies between veteran and new parties, and is given in three installments: advances before the elections, 85% after the publication of results, and an additional 15% after the State Comptroller's report. Many parties end up with heavy deficits, and the debt may be carried over to the next Knesset.

A comprehensive guide describing the mechanism of party financing in the 2026 elections in Israel. Almost all the money (99.7% in the 2022 elections) comes from state funding, not from donations. The funding is calculated in 'funding units' (each unit is worth 1,385,000 NIS), and varies between veteran and new parties. Veteran parties receive an advance based on 80% of their Knesset seats, while new parties are entitled to ten funding units subject to a bank guarantee. The funding is given in three installments: advances before the elections, 85% after the publication of results, and an additional 15% after the State Comptroller's report. Many parties end up with heavy deficits. Likud, for example, received funding of about 51 million NIS but spent about 57 million. Likud's debt to the Knesset after the 2022 elections stood at about 72 million NIS, and Yesh Atid's debt at about 23 million. Parties that do not enter the Knesset may leave 'lost debts' of millions of shekels.