Who got 150,000 shekels and who only 13,000? The legal funding of elected officials revealed

Data from a public committee reveals the extent of legal funding received by elected officials: Haim Katz was approved for 150,000 shekels for ancillary proceedings, Merav Michaeli received about 100,000 shekels from the committee and another 112,000 from the constituent contact budget, and Ofer Cassif received an advance of 13,000 shekels. Requests by Amichai Chikli and Ayman Odeh were rejected due to lack of authority.

Data from a Knesset public committee, obtained through a freedom of information request filed by the organization 'B'Tselem', reveals the extent of public funding for legal expenses of elected officials between 2022-2026. The committee, headed by a retired judge, approves expense participation according to fixed rules. Minister Haim Katz, who was convicted in a plea deal for conspiracy, was approved for 150,000 shekels for ancillary proceedings (immunity hearings and petitions to the High Court), while his attorney fees exceeded one million shekels. Former Labor Party chair Merav Michaeli received about 100,000 shekels from the committee and an additional 112,000 shekels from the constituent contact budget, after a civil lawsuit was dismissed. MK Ofer Cassif, convicted of assaulting a police officer, received an advance of only 13,000 shekels. Requests by Amichai Chikli and Ayman Odeh were rejected on the grounds of the committee's lack of authority for political-constitutional proceedings. CEO of 'B'Tselem', Shay Glick, criticized the public funding.