Eden Ben Zaken rakes in millions: concert earnings and Netanyahu's surprise visit
Ticket sales at Menora Mivtachim exceeded 7.9 million shekels. After taxes and production costs, singer Eden Ben Zaken's net profit is estimated at over one million shekels.
When Eden Ben Zaken sells out the Menora Mivtachim arena three times in a row, the "Queen of Roses" brand solidifies its position as an economic powerhouse. Performing before tens of thousands of people is an artistic achievement, but behind the scenes, a well-oiled business enterprise operates with figures as impressive as the pyrotechnics.
To understand the economics of such an event, we start with gross revenue. With a capacity of 11,500 per night, the three-show series sold approximately 34,500 tickets, generating a gross turnover of about 7,935,000 NIS.
The deductions begin with the state treasury: an 18% VAT cut transfers approximately 1,210,423 NIS to the Tax Authority. Additionally, ticket companies charge a 5% clearing and distribution fee, amounting to about 396,750 NIS. After these initial deductions, the net income for the production fund stands at approximately 6,327,827 NIS.
Then come the heavy production costs. Renting the arena for three days costs about 450,000 NIS. Security, ushering, and licensing (police, MADA, and private security) for 35,000 people total about 300,000 NIS. Technical equipment—including lighting, sound, LED screens, and staging—is estimated at 900,000 NIS. Personnel costs (musicians, dancers, sound engineers, makeup artists) add 550,000 NIS, while advertising and PR costs are roughly 200,000 NIS. Total operating costs reach 2,400,000 NIS.
After all expenses, the net operating profit is approximately 3,927,827 NIS. For an artist of Ben Zaken's status, the share of operating profit typically ranges from 50% to 60% (about 2,160,000 NIS before income tax). After maximum income tax deductions, the final net amount remaining in Ben Zaken's pocket is estimated at 1,150,000 to 1,300,000 NIS.
The final show on Thursday took a dramatic turn when Ben Zaken spotted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara in the VIP box. She invited him to the stage, where Netanyahu addressed the audience:
"The people of Israel live, strong and happy... There is love in us and it will win."
His appearance sparked a wave of polarized reactions, ranging from applause to fierce criticism. Agam Goldstein-Almog, a hostage survivor, described the Prime Minister's presence as a "spit in the face." Meanwhile, activist Ami Dror accused Ben Zaken of turning the concert into a disguised "election event" and encouraged ticket holders to file small claims lawsuits for consumer deception.
