Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be working from home, or at least from his Jerusalem office, for the next few months, as his longtime workspace in the Kirya military compound undergoes extensive renovations.
The iconic building, formerly known as “Building 22” and now named the Shimon Peres House, is more than 60 years old and has seen better days. Originally used by the IDF General Staff and top defense brass in the 1950s, the building has more recently housed the prime minister’s Tel Aviv office and the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Production and Procurement.
But for now, it’s a construction site.
Out of use
According to sources close to the prime minister, Netanyahu’s office and adjacent facilities have been vacated and will be out of use for approximately three to four months. The entire building was emptied of personnel to make way for the sweeping renovations, which reportedly aim to modernize and secure the aging infrastructure.
The timing is notable. Last month, during Israel’s brief war with Iran, hundreds of missiles rained down on Tel Aviv. During one major barrage, an Iranian missile struck the nearby Da Vinci Towers, just a stone’s throw from Netanyahu’s office. British media recently reported that five IDF bases were hit during the war, including sites at Tel Nof and Glilot.
Before departing for the US last week, Netanyahu canceled a scheduled court testimony, citing security and diplomatic concerns. Most of his public appearances, from touring the Home Front Command to visiting communities like Nir Oz, were held outside the office anyway.
Renovations or not, the work of running the country continues. Just not from “Building 22.”