why? is this really necessary at such a grand scale? Too much money?

I HOPE THIS EXTRAVAGANCE CAN BE STOPPED BY SUPREME COURT JURISDICTION.THE CABINET APPEARS FEARLESS AND UN ANSERABLE. .DON"T PAY YOUR ARNONA AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.I BET ALL THE E-MAILS WILL SHOW A SEETHING ANGER TO THE SENTIMENTS EXPESSED WHICH SHOULD MAKE THE FUNDRAISERS FEAR THAT THEIR BIG DONOURS WILL THREATEN TO WITHDRAW THEIR SUPPORT IF MORE CARE IS NOT TAKEN WITH MORE URGENT ASPECTS NECESSARY FOR SOCIAL WELFARE,AND THE UP-KEEP OF THE PROFICIENCY OF THE IDFSOMETHING MUST BE DONE AND IN THE NICEST DEMOCRATIC SENSE, TIME FOR "HEADS TO ROLL"

What? and HaShem's House lies in ruins? No wait, I am wrong, His House is no where to be seen. Not even ruins. This looks like something Washington would do while the citizens starve. Reminds me of Obama's new cars called, "The Beast." How prophetic is that name?

I hope they build it near the Ezrat Nashim hospital, (psychiatric hospital) since based on the last group of PM's they need to be close to it.

There is no urgent need for a new PM's residence they should not be spending $161.9 million on a project like this during a time when the economy is taking a turn for the worse and other sectors are having their budgets slashed. Don't cancel the plans for a new PM residence but do it at a time when the economy is healthier and please no modern art theme park looking thing. If something is going to be built make it traditional that better represents Israel as a jewish state. The Knesset is based on the design of the Temple which reflects jewish values. Buildings like the Knesset, White House and Capitol building are timeless this monstrosity is based on designs that will come and go in terms of fashion. Even in the US the government would find it hard at this time to justify spending that kind of money as simply a new residence for their president. Yuli Tamir though one of the founders of Peace Now is not the kind of minister whose voice should have to much notice taken of considering her far left attitudes. Other than the fact she took zionist and jewish studies off the school curriculum and has changed the history books to say we were responsible for the palestinian nakba. She would prefer that Labour stay in opposition rather than be a coalition partner in any government that included Yisrael Beitanu. Its amazing she is in Labour and not Balad fighting for arab issues.

Roland you are right. what i can't understand is why there are so few comments here. In the Hebrew version there are over 750 talkbacks all criticising this idea. This little country doesn't need to waste money on what will no doubt be an incompetent prime minister. Can't they just be happy with their regular corruption income. Some many poor people could benefit from such a vast amount of money. If anyone organises a demonstration i will be there!!!!!!!

I have just noticed that this new building, according to the article, will allow the prime ministers office to function in times of crisis. Well, as neither Olmert, Sharon, Netanyahu or Barak ever did anything for this country in a time when there was no crisis and did even less when there was a time of crisis the authorities have got an easy way out of having to build this monstrosity.

And for only 650 million? A bargain.

Why is the government even planning such an outlandish expenditure,a waste of money during these troubled economic times? The gov crys no money for education of our nation's children or to return gas masks to the citizens of Israel,or to see that every Israeli citizen has a place to live and food to eat, but there is 650Million sheckles to spend on contrutction of a new residence for the PM? Something truly is Rotten in the State of Israel and it is eminating from the Government!