Jerusalem, 28 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Two small Israeli parties that failed to enter the Knesset are expected to receive government funding of NIS 1.835 million ($500,000) each after exceeding 1% of the vote. The need to get enough votes to qualify for this government handout may explain why both parties marched on while the polls clearly showed they were going nowhere.
However, the government funding is unlikely to cover their campaign debts.
According to Israeli media, Yoaz Hendel and economist Yaron Zelicha raised NIS 7.1 million ($1.94 million) in private guarantees and approximately NIS 650,000 ($178,000) in donations. Hendel secured NIS 3.9 million ($1.07 million) in guarantees, while Zelicha raised NIS 3.2 million ($874,000).
Ofer Winter’s Amcha Yisrael party faces greater exposure. It raised NIS 11.4 million ($3.11 million) in guarantees, borrowed approximately NIS 8.5 million ($2.32 million), and received just NIS 42,000 ($11,500) in donations. If all its guarantees were used, Winter’s party could face more than NIS 9.5 million ($2.59 million) in debt.
