Green light for new official residence for PM

A Jerusalem municipal planning committee today gave approval for the construction of a new official residence for the prime minister, Ynet reports.

The plan calls for constructing a compound that would combine the prime minister’s office with his official residence, Ynet says.

The idea has been under consideration in various guises since 2009 amid criticism of the high cost — expected to exceed NIS 650 million ($170 million.)

Proponents say it is necessary to combine the two buildings to avoid the continuous travel between the two and to assure the continuity of the command chain in an emergency.