State Spent 1.43M Shekels on PM Grooming and Representation Since 2019
Data released to the Movement for Freedom of Information shows state spending of 1.43 million shekels on PM grooming and representation since 2019, with Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu accounting for 90% of hair and makeup costs.
The Israeli state has spent approximately 1.43 million shekels since early 2019 through August 2026 on hair and makeup services for prime ministers, both domestically and abroad, as well as representation allowances for clothing and hospitality. Data released by the Prime Minister's Office following a freedom of information petition filed by the Movement for Freedom of Information reveals that Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, account for 90% of the hair and makeup expenses.
Freedom of Information Petition and Data Details
The information was disclosed after the movement petitioned the court in December 2025, represented by Adv. Yaara Winkler Shalit. Some documents contained redactions for state security reasons, including the names of the prime minister's hairstylists and makeup artists. The PMO clarified that the makeup and hair data apply to Netanyahu and his wife, despite non-uniform descriptions in some expense reports.
The released documents also detail hair and makeup expenses during September, October, and November 2023. According to the figures, 7,897 shekels were paid for the prime minister's haircuts and 4,800 shekels for makeup services during this timeframe. Annual expenditures fluctuated significantly, peaking in 2025 at approximately 337,000 shekels, compared to about 312,000 shekels in 2023 and roughly 84,000 shekels in 2022 under Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.
Foreign Travel and Representation Allowances
A substantial portion of the budget was allocated to grooming during official state visits abroad. The most expensive trip for these services was to Washington in February 2025, costing roughly 13,500 USD for a makeup artist and hairstylist, followed by another Washington trip in July 2024 totaling about 11,500 USD.
Representation allowances, unlike grooming costs, were itemized per prime minister. During the examined period, Netanyahu's representation expenses totaled approximately 408,000 shekels, Bennett's reached about 57,000 shekels, and Lapid's stood at 8,000 shekels, bringing the total to roughly 473,000 shekels.
"The Prime Minister's Office repeatedly ignores freedom of information requests regarding the use of public funds, and only through court petitions can information be obtained," stated Adv. Heidi Negev, CEO of the Movement for Freedom of Information.
