No need for modesty
Op-ed: As place representing Israel in front of world leaders, PM's residence deserves some luxury
There are cases in which modesty is inappropriate. Just like elected representatives travel in armored vehicles, the prime minister's wife is not supposed to put on a graceful apron and fry cutlets.
World dignitaries visit the prime minister's residence. It is sometimes the first time they meet the homely, familial, hospitable, modern Israel. Under these circumstances, there is definitely room for some luxury. A flying double bed specifically installed for a short flight is one thing, fine hospitality with a lot of thought was put into it is a different, honorable and respectable message. Being presentable – although it's price skyrockets – is not a bad thing even if the figures hiding behind it don’t look so good in a era of a just struggle over housing and cottage cheese prices.
Certain officials and institutions are perceived as the face of the State and must market their status respectfully, investing in aesthetics, impressive culinary standards and ornamental pools which consume a lot of water – even if the public price for all this is holy rage totaling NIS 3.2 million (about $910,000).
Different View
Yigal Sarna
Op-ed: While regular Israelis groan under burden of mortgage or rent, Netanyahus are puffing up
The discourse over the economic management of the prime minister's homes is quite hypocritical. The main part of the bill (NIS 2.9 million out of NIS 3.2 million) comes from the maintenance of the official residence. This official institution, as opposed to the villa in Caesarea, hosts donors, artists, intellectuals, children and soldiers – and deserves every investment honoring those finding shelter under its roof, from meticulous cleaning services and fresh flower arrangements to expensive and reliable operation of the lighting systems. Because hundreds of scented candles cannot cover the shame if a power outage takes place during dinner with Obama.
In this case, saying that the Netanyahu couple is incapable of understanding the poor is a superficial and demagogic statement. It's similar to a homeless person complaining about the renovations taking place occasionally in the President's Residence, or to those who expressed their resentment over the huge sums of money invested in the renovation of the official Ben-Gurion Airport – the first gate greeting people into Israel.
