Report: Israel Approves Construction of New Government Bunker for National Emergencies

The Algemeiner reports: The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee has approved a plan to erect a massive compound to house the office and private residence of the prime minister, Israel’s Channel 10 reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the compound will be built in the “government precinct” — known by Israelis as Kiryat Hamemshala — located in the neighborhood of Givat Ram, where the Supreme Court is situated, and not far from the Knesset and one of the Hebrew University campuses.

The structure is expected to have between five and eight stories, and an area designated for official ceremonies. It will also include a huge underground “bunker,” to be used by the prime minister and representatives of the civil and defense establishment during times of national emergency. The cost of the project is estimated at NIS 1 billion ($262.3 million).