Netanyahu's Washington Trip Costs Revealed at 1.5 Million Shekels
The Prime Minister's Office has revealed that Benjamin Netanyahu's February trip to Washington cost 1.5 million shekels, following a freedom of information petition.
Following a petition by the Freedom of Information Movement, the Prime Minister's Office has released data regarding the costs of Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to Washington in February of this year. During the visit, the Prime Minister met in the White House Situation Room with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trip Costs and Details
Despite being a brief two-day journey, the trip cost taxpayers approximately 1.5 million shekels. According to the breakdown provided:
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Wing of Zion flight costs: 395,000 dollars (approx. 1.2 million shekels).
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General expenses: 100,309 dollars (approx. 313,162 shekels).
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Accommodation: While Netanyahu, his wife, and his son Yair stayed at Blair House at the expense of the White House, the accompanying delegation stayed at two hotels—The Watergate Hotel and The Hay-Adams—totaling 49,182 dollars (approx. 153,400 shekels).
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Personal and medical services: Makeup services for Benjamin and Sarah Netanyahu cost 1,498 dollars (approx. 4,600 shekels), hair styling expenses reached 1,485 dollars (approx. 4,600 shekels), and medical escort services from Sheba Medical Center totaled 8,887 shekels including VAT.
Public Criticism
"The Prime Minister's Office repeatedly ignores responses to freedom of information requests regarding the use of public funds, and once again, information can only be obtained by filing petitions to the courts," stated Adv. Heidi Negev, CEO of the Freedom of Information Movement.
The petition to the court was submitted through Adv. Dan Rosenthal.
