PMO Discloses 386,000 Shekels Spent on Medical Teams for Netanyahu's Trips
The Prime Minister's Office has disclosed that medical teams accompanying Benjamin Netanyahu on foreign trips since 2023 cost 386,000 shekels, following a freedom of information request.
The Prime Minister's Office has disclosed for the first time the costs associated with medical teams accompanying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on foreign trips since 2023, totaling approximately 386,000 shekels. The data was released following a freedom of information request filed by the Freedom of Information Movement.
According to the official figures, the PMO spent about 333,000 shekels on services, per diem, and accommodation for medical staff across 14 foreign trips, alongside an additional 53,000 shekels for flights. Expenses peaked in 2025, reaching approximately 170,000 shekels. These costs are in addition to a fixed annual retainer of 30,000 shekels plus VAT paid to the head of the medical team, Dr. Herman Berkovich, as well as insurance reimbursements.
By comparison, the PMO noted that expenses for the medical doctor who accompanied former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid totaled 21,060 shekels during their tenure, with no separate travel arrangements. Prior to 2023, special medical delegations did not accompany the prime minister, relying solely on the regular Unit 730 security detail, which includes a physician and paramedic.
Detailing the breakdown of the delegations, Dr. Eyal Heller, a cardiologist from the Sheba Medical Center, participated in six trips totaling 149,009 shekels. Dr. Zvi Sirotkin, an IDF cardiologist from the Ministry of Defense, joined three trips amounting to 110,363 shekels. Pacemaker technician Chen Kabesa participated in two trips totaling 41,075 shekels, and urologist Dr. Mordechai Duvdevani from Hadassah Medical Center joined three trips totaling 32,817 shekels.
Commenting on the disclosure, Adv. Hady Negev, CEO of the Freedom of Information Movement, stated: "Transparency regarding the fitness and health of the prime minister is vital, especially when no permanent successor is appointed. The Prime Minister's Office consistently avoids publishing detailed and updated reports. It is time for every candidate for prime minister to issue an independent statement regarding their physical and cognitive fitness."
