Full Breakdown
Netanyahu’s 2025 U.S. Trips: Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Core Event – Release of Expense Records
A Freedom of Information request by attorney Elad Mann of Hatzlacha prompted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to release itemized billing tables, delegation lists, and schedules for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s United States visits in 2025. The documents show costs—including hotel suites, charter-plane fees, makeup and hair services, and miscellaneous supplies—totaling six-figure sums per trip.
Background & Context
The PMO clarified that overseas travel expenses are transferred to the Foreign Ministry before a trip, with invoices collected afterward. Review and final payment of these invoices can take “many months,” and some line items remain under review.
Timeline of 2025 Visits
| Month (2025) | Primary Destination(s) | Notable Expenses Reported |
|---|---|---|
| February | Washington, D.C. | $13,519 for makeup and hair; $25,000 for the prime minister’s suite; $511.50 for suite food; $298 for laundry. |
| April | Washington, D.C. | $6,072 for makeup and hair; $1,228 for printers + toners; $51,661 for the Watergate Hotel. |
| July | Washington, D.C. | $172,701.60 for the Willard InterContinental Hotel; total itemized charges of about $373,700. |
| December | Florida (Mar-a-Lago) | $10,000 per night for a Four Seasons suite (total $50,000); delegation rooms averaged $250 per night. |
| September 25-30 (scheduled) | Washington and New York | Charter-plane “Wing of Zion” cost $359,281. |
Data & Statistics – Major Cost Categories
- Hotel accommodations: Suite rates ranged from $25,000 (Washington) to $10,000 per night (Florida). The July stay at the Willard alone cost $172,701.60. Delegation rooms averaged about $250 per night.
- Charter-plane fees: The “Wing of Zion” was billed at $359,281 for the September-scheduled trip (Yedioth Ahronoth reported a $423,407 charge for a separate flight).
- Beauty services: Makeup and hair expenses appeared on multiple visits: $13,519 in February and $6,072 in April.
- Miscellaneous items: $500 “smoking fee” for a press-conference room; $295 for embassy-door repairs; $125 traffic ticket; $1,200 for printers and inks; $400 for car rentals; $480 for COVID-19 tests for two delegation members.
Official Statements & Responses
The PMO emphasized that the Foreign Ministry ultimately funds the trips, with the PMO forwarding estimated costs and later reconciling actual invoices. It noted that some expense lines—such as the “smoking fee” and certain equipment purchases—remain under review, and final payment occurs after review.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Total expense totals: February and April documents list combined charges of roughly $128,900, while the July report cites about $373,700. Yedioth Ahronoth’s $423,407 flight figure exceeds the $359,281 figure for the September-scheduled trip, suggesting different accounting periods or separate charter flights.
Why It Matters
The disclosures give taxpayers a granular view of public funds used for diplomatic travel, highlighting luxury accommodations and personal grooming services and underscoring the need for transparent accounting within the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry.