Israel's October Election Estimated to Cost Economy NIS 4 Billion

Israel's October 27 election is estimated to cost the economy about NIS 4 billion through lost output, payroll, election administration and party financing. The Manufacturers Association's Economic Research Department calculated NIS 2.68 billion in lost output and payroll from the election-day holiday, using Central Bureau of Statistics employment and wage data. The 2026 elections and party-financing budget line rose after transfers to NIS 1.027 billion, while the Central Elections Committee's routine budget is NIS 111 million. Industry alone is expected to lose NIS 342 million.