Barkat said to be Israel's richest politician
With net worth of $125 million, Jerusalem mayor ranks first on list of wealthy Israeli legislators and diplomats put together by Forbes Magazine. Prime Minister Netanyahu comes in sixth
Video courtesy of jn1.tv
Barkat's wealth is more than the combined value of the three politicians who follow him. He does not take a salary as mayor, and made his fortune during his time in the private sector, where he found several start ups that achieved financial success.
Knesset Member Erel Margalit (Labor), the founder and former chairman of venture capital fund JVP, ranked second. His net worth is about NIS 220 million ($60 million).
Minister for the Development of the Negev and Galilee Silvan Shalom and Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir were third and fourth, with NIS 150 million ($40 million) and NIS 60 million ($17 million) respectively.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ranked sixth with a speculated net worth of NIS 41 million ($11 million). Much of Netanyahu’s fortune was made via his high lecture fees during his time out of office. Between 1999 and 2002, he reportedly made NIS 50,000 ($13,850) per speech.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life
