Defense Ministry, Jerusalem municipality sign deal to establish new defense HQ, relocate military colleges to capital

The Defense Ministry says it has signed an agreement with the Jerusalem municipality that will establish a new defense headquarters in the capital and relocate the military’s colleges to the city, among other moves.

The agreement was signed today by Defense Minister Israel Katz, Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, and Jerusalem Municipality Director General Ariela Rejwan.

Under the framework, a branch of the defense establishment will be built at Jerusalem’s city entrance complex. The branch will include offices for the Defense Ministry and IDF, as well as a research and development site.

Additionally, a new IDF museum will be established near the Mandel Institute in the city, the ministry says.

Also, as part of the agreement, the army’s induction center in Jerusalem will undergo a “facelift to adapt it to current and future needs,” and at the same time, the ministry and municipality will begin work to locate a site in Jerusalem for a new induction center to replace the current one.

The ministry says that the military colleges, currently located at the Glilot base near Herzliya, will be moved to Jerusalem, “to one of the areas most accessible and well connected by diverse public transportation.”

“The colleges are expected to serve hundreds of officers and personnel and to strengthen the character of the surrounding neighborhoods,” the ministry says.

Lastly, the agreement will see the Jerusalem municipality and the IDF Personnel Directorate’s Housing Administration advance housing projects for IDF career officers in the city.