The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has released detailed records revealing that approximately $470,000 was spent on hair styling, makeup, and official representation expenses for the country’s leaders between January 2019 and August 2026. The disclosure follows a
According to the released data, roughly 90% of the total grooming-related expenditures were attributed to Prime Minister
Breakdown of Expenditures and Official Response
The records highlight a significant variance in spending between different administrations. During 2022, when Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid served as prime ministers, combined expenses for these services were approximately 84,000 shekels. Following Benjamin Netanyahu’s return to office, the costs rose to roughly 311,000 shekels in 2023, with total annual spending that year reaching approximately $103,000. The highest annual expenditure was recorded in 2025, totaling about $111,000.
The documentation also provided specific insights into costs incurred during international travel and periods of conflict. A four-day visit to Washington D.C. in February 2025 resulted in the highest single bill for hair and makeup, amounting to approximately $13,500. A similar trip to Washington in July 2024 incurred costs of about $11,500. Regarding the start of the war in October 2023, the records show that 2,457 shekels were spent on hair styling for the Prime Minister during that month alone.
Beyond grooming, the report detailed official representation expenses, which encompass clothing and hosting costs associated with official duties. Netanyahu’s representation expenses were listed at approximately $134,000, while the figures for Bennett and Lapid were significantly lower, at $19,000 and $2,600 respectively. While the government released the financial figures, it redacted the names of the specific hairstylists and makeup artists involved, citing state security concerns as the justification for the omission.
Hiddai Negev, CEO of the Movement for Freedom of Information, expressed criticism regarding the transparency of the Prime Minister’s Office. He stated that the office consistently fails to disclose
