Protective netting against drones has been installed at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s private home on Gaza Street in Jerusalem, following two days of extensive construction that disrupted traffic in the Rechavia neighborhood.
Two cranes blocked the major neighborhood thoroughfare while at least 10 workers carried out the installation at the property, which is designated an alternative official residence.
Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are currently staying at another property nearby. The official prime minister’s residence on Balfour Street remains under renovation, with work not expected to finish before early 2027.
The drone protection is the latest addition to approximately a year and a half of construction at the Gaza Street property. Previous work has included installing an elevator, steel scaffolding, a protective shelter, barriers restricting traffic and concrete security blocks, as well as replacing a bathtub.
Neighbors say the repeated construction and security restrictions have disrupted daily life and raised concerns about their own protection.
“This is a residential neighborhood in the center of the capital, with very dense construction,” one resident said. “If you are worried about drones, perhaps do us a favor and take care of the neighbors too, instead of just creating anxiety? This protection is really frightening. What about us?”
The work comes amid a sharp increase in spending on security projects at prime ministerial residences.
Between 2023 and October 2026, the Prime Minister’s Office paid NIS 127,432,277 for residential security projects. The reported spending included work at properties on Balfour Street, Gaza Street and in Caesarea.
Annual payments rose from approximately NIS 10.9 million in 2023 to NIS 27.8 million in 2024, before reaching NIS 72.5 million in 2025. Another NIS 16.2 million was paid between the beginning of 2026 and October.
The Prime Minister’s Office clarified that the figures cover residences used by both serving and former prime ministers. It attributed the increase to changes in the threat level requiring substantial investment in protective measures.
The heightened security follows the 2024 drone strike on Netanyahu’s Caesarea home.
Separately, another unusual security project was recently undertaken at the Gaza Street property ahead of Yom Kippur.
The Shin Bet and the Prime Minister’s Office security division began constructing an enclosed, air-conditioned passage approximately 15 to 20 meters long, connecting the house to a nearby street. The secured route was intended to allow Netanyahu to reach shul safely.
However, construction was halted before completion. The project incurred expenses and caused further disruption for nearby residents, but Netanyahu ultimately did not use the passage or attend the shul during Yom Kippur.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
