"Golden Parachute": Departing ministers and MKs will receive an adjustment grant of up to 312,000 shekels

The Likud primaries have ousted 17 ministers and Knesset members from the Knesset. However, all departing MKs will leave with a substantial adjustment grant reaching up to 312,000 shekels, depending on their seniority in the legislature.

The calculation for the grant is one monthly salary—52,000 shekels—for each year of tenure, up to a ceiling of six salaries. Eligibility for the grant begins after one year of service. In the latest polls, Likud stands at 23 mandates. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who holds the first spot, has six reserved positions, meaning that starting from the 24th place, the spots are currently considered unrealistic.

Following the Likud primary results, ministers expected to leave include May Golan, Idit Silman, Avi Dichter, Zeev Elkin, and Gila Gamliel. Each will receive an adjustment grant of approximately 312,000 shekels. MK Keti Shitrit will also retire with a grant of 312,000 shekels.

Minister of Economy Nir Barkat is positioned in the 24th place, which is currently not considered realistic. He has refused to accept a government or Knesset salary, raising the question of whether he will claim the adjustment grant upon his departure. Several million shekels have accumulated in the state treasury due to his refusal of salary, and their fate remains unclear.

Additionally, Finance Committee Chairman Hanoch Milwidsky, Deputy Knesset Speaker Nissim Vaturi, Shalom Danino, Eli Dallal, Amit Halevi, Ariel Kallner, as well as Communications Committee Chair Galit Distel-Atbarian and Eliyahu Revivo, will depart. Each will receive approximately 156,000 shekels for a full term. Four colleagues who served partial terms—Osher Shkalim, Sasson Guetta, Tsega Melaku, and Moshe Passal—will receive about 140,000 shekels each, while Abed Afif will receive approximately 47,000 shekels.

Economics Committee Chairman David Bitan is currently in the 23rd place. If he retires, he is expected to receive a grant of 312,000 shekels. Estimates suggest that after the election results, the total number of departing MKs from all parties will reach 40–45.

Some MKs have expressed resentment that the grant is capped at six months' salary, arguing that private sector severance pay is typically one month per year of work. Regardless, many departing ministers and MKs are expected to pursue lucrative opportunities in the business sector.

Other departing MKs include Merav Michaeli (Labor) and Yaakov Margi (after 23 years of service), who will each receive 312,000 shekels. Recently retired members include Moshe Arbel (Shas), who received 312,000 shekels, and Ron Katz (Yesh Atid), who received 224,000 shekels.