Do both the buyer and the seller pay the real estate agent in Israel?

Yes. In Israel, each party pays their own agent independently. The buyer pays their agent 2% + VAT and the seller pays their agent 2% + VAT. If one agent represents both sides, that agent can legally collect from both parties — but must disclose this in writing. This dual-commission system is standard across the market and is not negotiable in the sense that the market operates this way; the rate itself can sometimes be negotiated.