Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is conducting most of his working day from a reinforced room on the basement level of the Prime Minister’s Office, rather than his usual office on a higher floor, in accordance with instructions from security officials, Channel 12 news reports.
It says Netanyahu was told to use the better-protected basement level room, rather than his office inside the PMO’s glass-fronted “aquarium” area, and more widely to avoid being in known “permanent places,” since an explosive Hezbollah drone detonated at his home in Casearea on October 19, smashing, though not penetrating, a bedroom window and causing further minor damage. Netanyahu was not at home at the time.
The report says the new security protocol has been implemented because of concern over drones and other attacks, and that Netanyahu has made this clear to people who have met with him in the basement-level room.
Channel 12 says that the new security instructions also explain why cabinet meetings of late have been held in different places, and why the wedding of Netanyahu’s son Avner has been postponed to a later date, not in the near future.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem on September 27, 2023.(Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
The TV report also quotes unnamed legal and political sources who anticipate that, in the light of these security recommendations, Netanyahu’s lawyers will seek to postpone the scheduled start of his testimony next month at Jerusalem District Court in the three corruption cases for which he is on trial, so that he will not be in the same place several times a week.
It has been reported that the court does not have a safe room or a bomb shelter.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the Jerusalem District Court to listen to video testimony from businessman Arnon Milchan in the prime minister’s corruption trial, June 27, 2023. (Oren Ben Hakoon / Flash90)
Watch Docu Nation Season 2: Resilience
when you join the ToI Community
Support The Times of Israel's independent journalism and receive access to our documentary series, Docu Nation: Resilience, premiering December 12.
In this season of Docu Nation, you can stream eight outstanding Israeli documentaries with English subtitles and then join a live online discussion with the filmmakers. The selected films show how resilience, hope, and growth can emerge from crisis.
When you watch Docu Nation, you’re also supporting Israeli creators at a time when it’s increasingly difficult for them to share their work globally.
To learn more about Docu Nation: Resilience, click here.
Support ToI and get Docu Nation
Support ToI and get Docu Nation
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, November 10, 2024
