Decision by Bennett to keep living at home could cost state millions — TV

A decision by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to remain at his private home in Ra’anana and not move to the premier’s official residence in Jerusalem could cost some NIS 12-15 million ($3.6-4.6 million) in state funds, Israeli television reported Wednesday.

That one-time cost, Channel 13 news said, would go toward building security stations, roadblocks, cameras and other infrastructure necessary to protect the prime minister. Further costs are expected to go toward renting nearby apartments for security officials.

The network said Bennett’s neighbors in the affluent central Israeli city were demanding some NIS 30,000 ($9,200) per month in rent.

The security arrangements were at the recommendation of the Shin Bet security service and other officials and not being pushed for by Bennett, according to the report.

“The security and emergency department acts in accordance with Shin Bet instructions and only per operational and professional considerations. The department does not comment on the details of security arrangements,” a statement from Bennett’s office said in response.

For the time being, Bennett has indicated that he intends to remain at his home to allow his young children to stay in their schools, and only use the official residences for meetings and state visits. Ra’anana residents who live nearby have been irritated by the high security and ongoing protests against Bennett, which on Sunday police issued new orders limiting them.

Bennett is set to serve as prime minister for the next two years, before being replaced by Yesh Atid leader and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid under a rotation agreement.

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to vacate the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem; he and Bennett agreed earlier this month that he will leave by July 10.