Netanyahu's Jerusalem Home Fortified Against Drones Amid Neighbor Concerns
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private residence in Jerusalem is undergoing extensive security upgrades, including drone-protection netting and a "secret tunnel" to a nearby synagogue, though the tunnel construction was halted. The security measures, which have been ongoing for about 18 months and include traffic disruptions, have raised concerns among neighbors. Between 2023 and October 2026, the Prime Minister's Office spent over 127 million shekels on security for various residences, with spending significantly increasing since 2024 due to elevated threat levels, possibly linked to drone attacks.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Drone-protection netting is being installed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private residence on Gaza Street in Jerusalem.
- The Prime Minister's Office spent over 127 million shekels on security projects for residences between 2023 and October 2026.
- Neighbors have expressed alarm over the extensive security measures and resulting disruptions on Gaza Street.
- A previously reported "secret tunnel" to a synagogue was halted midway and not used by Netanyahu.
- Increased security spending since 2024 is attributed to heightened threat levels, potentially including drone attacks.
Extensive work to install drone-protection netting has been underway for two days at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private residence on Gaza Street in Jerusalem. Two cranes have blocked the street, a major thoroughfare in the Rehavia neighborhood, with at least ten workers involved in the installation, according to Ynet. The house is designated as the Prime Minister's official alternative residence, though Netanyahu and his wife do not live there, staying in another home in the same area during renovations. The new security measures have alarmed neighbors, with one resident telling Ynet that the extensive security around one house in the densely populated area raises concerns for others and calls for protection of adjacent buildings. Work on Gaza Street has been ongoing for about 18 months, including the construction of an elevator, bathtub replacement, and the installation of scaffolding and protective coverings. The street also features traffic barriers and concrete blocks. Concurrently, major renovations are occurring at the official residence on Balfour Street, expected to conclude in early 2027. Data published on October 15, 2026, revealed that the Prime Minister's Office spent over 127 million shekels on security projects for residences between 2023 and October 2026. This spending covered the Balfour Street residence, the Gaza Street home, and Netanyahu's villa in Caesarea. Expenditures were 10.9 million shekels in 2023, 27.8 million in 2024, 72.5 million in 2025, and 16.2 million from January to October 2026. The Prime Minister's Office stated the figures encompass all official and private residences of current and former prime ministers, attributing the significant increase in spending since 2024 to heightened threat levels requiring substantial investment in the official residence's protection. This is presumed to be related to the threat of explosive drones, following an incident where a drone hit Netanyahu's Caesarea home in October 2024. In September 2026, another security project on Gaza Street was reported: a 15-20 meter "secret tunnel" with air conditioning, built by the Shin Bet and the Prime Minister's Office security department before Yom Kippur, to connect the house to the "Yad Tamar" synagogue. However, construction was halted midway, and the Prime Minister did not attend prayers at the synagogue on Yom Kippur. The construction of these barriers has incurred costs and caused inconvenience to nearby residents.
