Spending at PM’s residence drops 17% in 2014

Upkeep for official apartment cost NIS 2 million ($523,000) in 2014, down from NIS 2.4 million ($628,000) in 2013

By ToI Staff 17 August 2015, 7:44 pm

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a Likud faction meeting at the Knesset, on July 27, 2015. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The Prime Minister’s Residence cost Israeli taxpayers NIS 2 million ($523,000) in 2014, figures released Monday by the government reveal.

The figure marks a steep decline from previous years. The residence spent NIS 3.2 million ($837,000) in 2012 and NIS 2.4 million ($628,000) in 2013, Channel 2 reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism during the 2015 election campaign over revelations that the government had spent tens of thousands of shekels in 2011 on gourmet sushi for the premier’s residence, among other purported luxuries. Netanyahu said the funds were spent on official events hosted at the official residence.

More recently, the Prime Minister’s Office has faced criticism for using taxpayer shekels to fund upkeep costs at the Netanyahus’ private home in Caesarea.

The latest figures were published after a freedom of information request by Channel 2 and The Movement for Freedom of Information.

In 2014, the PMO spent NIS 26,000 on the Bible study group hosted by Netanyahu in the residence, NIS 17,800 on a pergola and NIS 47,500 on soft drinks and wine. Utilities bills were also made public: NIS 71,800 on water, NIS 195,000 on electricity.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the 2014 figures were the “lowest in five years.”

The Movement for Freedom of Information criticized the figures, noting they did not distinguish between the prime minister’s official residence and the private one.