Expensive Knesset: maintaining lawmakers reaches 1 billion shekels per term

The cost of maintaining 120 Knesset members will amount to approximately 1 billion shekels over four years — 9 million per member. An Ynet article breaks down the main expense items: salary, cars, housing, assistants, and benefits.

The cost of maintaining 120 Knesset members will amount to approximately 1 billion shekels over a four-year term — about 9 million per member. This calculation was published by Ynet on November 12, 2026. The article details the main expense items: a basic salary of 52,147 shekels gross per month for an ordinary MK, with a 2.4% increase in January 2026. Members also receive a service car worth up to 350,000 shekels, a full fuel card, housing compensation in Jerusalem (up to 5,033 shekels per month), three parliamentary assistants, a public relations budget of 110,795 shekels per year, and additional benefits: clothing, newspapers, medical checkups, language study. It is noted that the budget pension was abolished in 2003, but contributions are made to a provident pension fund.