Beit Aghion: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Official residence of the Prime Minister of Israel}} |
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{{Refimprove|date=June 2010}} |
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[[File:Julius Jacobs house.jpg|thumb| Beit Julius Jacobs, the PM's residence until 1974]] |
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'''Beit Aghion''' ({{lang-he|בית אגיון}}), also known as '''Beit Rosh HaMemshala''' ({{lang-he|בית ראש הממשלה}}, lit. ''House of the Prime Minister'') is the [[official residence]] of the [[Prime Minister of Israel]]. It is located at 9 [[Peretz Smolenskin|Smolenskin]] Street, on the street corner of [[Arthur Balfour|Balfour]] Street in the upscale [[Jerusalem]] neighborhood of [[Rehavia]], situated between the city center and [[Talbiya]] neighborhood. |
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[[File:הוילון השחור ברחוב בלפור בירושלים.jpg|thumb|The black curtain on Balfour street in Jerusalem, which hides the entrance to the prime minister's residence]] |
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'''Beit Aghion''' ({{langx|he|בית אגיון}}, ''Aghion House''), also known as '''Beit Rosh HaMemshala''' ({{langx|he|בית ראש הממשלה}}, lit. ''House of the Head of Government'') or [[metonymy|metonymously]] as '''Balfour''',<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kershner |first1=Isabel |title=For Israel's Netanyahu, the Official Residence Became a Fortress |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/14/world/middleeast/netanyahu-balfour-corruption.html |access-date=16 September 2022 |work=New York Times |date=14 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cashman |first1=Greer |title=Balfour, the prime minister's residence, as a symbol |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/balfour-the-prime-ministers-residence-as-a-symbol-670641 |website=Jerusalem Post |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref> is the [[official residence]] of the [[Prime Minister of Israel]]. It is located at 9 [[Peretz Smolenskin|Smolenskin]] Street, on the corner of [[Arthur Balfour|Balfour]] Street in the upscale central [[Jerusalem]] neighborhood of [[Rehavia]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Beit Aghion during construction.jpg|thumb|1938]] |
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The |
The house was built between 1936 and 1938 for [[History of the Jews in Greece|Greek-Jewish]] merchant Edward Aghion, an affluent resident of [[Alexandria]] in [[Kingdom of Egypt|Egypt]]. It was designed by German architect [[Richard Kauffmann]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/culture/.premium--1.5156607|title=Homes fit for a prime minister: From Ben Gurion's shack to Netanyahu's compound|newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref> |
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In 1941, [[Peter II of Yugoslavia|Peter II, King of Yugoslavia]] resided in the house. During the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]] it served as a hospital for the [[Irgun]] fighters. |
In 1941, [[Peter II of Yugoslavia|Peter II, King of Yugoslavia]] resided in the house. During the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]] it served as a hospital for the [[Irgun]] fighters. |
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In 1952, the Israeli government purchased the house for the purpose of turning it to an official residence for the [[Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel|Foreign Minister]]. In 1974, the Israeli Government decided to transfer the official residence of the Prime Minister from [[Beit Julius Jacobs]], which served as the official residence of the Israeli Prime Minister between |
In 1952, the Israeli government purchased the house for the purpose of turning it to an official residence for the [[Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel|Foreign Minister]]. In 1974, the Israeli Government decided to transfer the official residence of the Prime Minister from [[Beit Julius Jacobs|Julius Jacobs House]], which had served as the official residence of the Israeli Prime Minister between 1950 and 1974, to Beit Aghion. During the 1990s, a wall was erected around the house for security reasons and a segment of Balfour Street was closed to traffic. |
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resided in Beit Aghion until July 2021, more than a month after he was ousted from office by a coalition headed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. Since then, renovations have been underway at Beit Aghion. During their terms as Prime Minister, Bennett remained in his family residence in Ra’anana and Lapid largely lived in Tel Aviv during his tenure as prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2024 |title=Cabinet okays advancement of new plans to build combined office/residence for PM |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-okays-advancement-of-new-plans-to-build-combined-office-residence-for-pm/ |website=Times of Israel}}</ref> |
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==Architecture== |
==Architecture== |
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The building is composed of several |
The building is composed of several square blocks connected to one another and in the center of the building there is a stairway, decorated with a row of windows in the front. The front of the building also includes a section molded in a circular way, and in a boat-like fashion typical of the [[International style (architecture)|International Style]]. The house is coated with [[Jerusalem stone]]. The premises include an inner courtyard ([[patio]])—an element that differs from the common International Style, but is common among [[Islamic architecture|Islamic-style buildings]]. The patio was most probably added by request from the Aghion family. |
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==Proposed residence relocation== |
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==Relocation proposal== |
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On 8 February 2009, the Israeli government approved the Almog Project |
On 8 February 2009, the Israeli government approved the Almog Project, which provided that the official residence of the Prime Minister be united with his office within the [[Kiryat HaMemshala|government complex]], thus replacing Beit Aghion. The cost of that planned project was around 650 million [[Israeli new shekel|shekels]] ($162 million [[USD]]), and thus was criticized as overly extravagant. On 5 April, the decision to move the official residence of the Prime Minister of Israel was canceled.<ref>[http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMO/Archive/Decisions/2009/04/des12.htm Cabinet decision #12], April 5, 2009, [[Cabinet of Israel|Benjamin Netanyahu 32 Government]]</ref> |
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In 2014, the |
In 2014, the Almog plan was reinitiated.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/plane-and-new-residence-for-pm-okayed-by-ministers/|title=Plane and new residence for PM okayed by ministers|publisher=Times of Israel|date=4 May 2014|accessdate=24 April 2015}}</ref> However, in October 2018, its advancement was halted. In 2019, the Prime Minister's Office began developing an alternative plan, in another location on the Government Campus in Jerusalem − the "Shira" project. Additionally, it was recommended that until a new building is constructed, the Prime Minister's Office should rectify and repair safety and protection deficiencies in the Beit Aghion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Prime Minister's Office The Construction and Protection of the Prime Ministers' Residences and the Prime Minister's Office |url=https://www.mevaker.gov.il/sites/DigitalLibrary/Documents/2024/Prime-Ministers-Dormitories/2024-Prime-Ministers-Dormitories-EN.pdf |website=State Comptroller}}</ref> |
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Nevertheless, Beit Aghion has not been renovated since Netanyahu vacated in July 2021. Nor has building of a new residence been initiated. Since Netanyahu returned to office in 2023, he has resided in his homes in [[Caesarea (modern town)|Caesarea]] and on Gaza Road in Jerusalem. On June 30, 2024, Netanyahu's government approved NIS 37.5 million to build the new compound.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2024 |title=Cabinet okays advancement of new plans to build combined office/residence for PM |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-okays-advancement-of-new-plans-to-build-combined-office-residence-for-pm/ |website=Times of Israel}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{commons category|Beit Aghion}} |
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{{coord|31.7734505|N|35.2177691|E|display=title|region:IL_type:landmark|format=dms}} |
{{coord|31.7734505|N|35.2177691|E|display=title|region:IL_type:landmark|format=dms}} |
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[[Category:Prime ministerial residences]] |
[[Category:Prime ministerial residences]] |
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[[Category:Prime |
[[Category:Prime ministers of Israel|*]] |
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[[Category:Official residences in Israel]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Jerusalem]] |
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[[Category:1936 establishments in Mandatory Palestine]] |
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[[Category:Houses completed in 1938]] |
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[[Category:Rehavia]] |
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Latest revision as of 12:46, 4 December 2024
Beit Aghion (Hebrew: בית אגיון, Aghion House), also known as Beit Rosh HaMemshala (Hebrew: בית ראש הממשלה, lit. House of the Head of Government) or metonymously as Balfour,[1][2] is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Israel. It is located at 9 Smolenskin Street, on the corner of Balfour Street in the upscale central Jerusalem neighborhood of Rehavia.
History
[edit]
The house was built between 1936 and 1938 for Greek-Jewish merchant Edward Aghion, an affluent resident of Alexandria in Egypt. It was designed by German architect Richard Kauffmann.[3]
In 1941, Peter II, King of Yugoslavia resided in the house. During the 1948 Arab–Israeli War it served as a hospital for the Irgun fighters.
In 1952, the Israeli government purchased the house for the purpose of turning it to an official residence for the Foreign Minister. In 1974, the Israeli Government decided to transfer the official residence of the Prime Minister from Julius Jacobs House, which had served as the official residence of the Israeli Prime Minister between 1950 and 1974, to Beit Aghion. During the 1990s, a wall was erected around the house for security reasons and a segment of Balfour Street was closed to traffic.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resided in Beit Aghion until July 2021, more than a month after he was ousted from office by a coalition headed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. Since then, renovations have been underway at Beit Aghion. During their terms as Prime Minister, Bennett remained in his family residence in Ra’anana and Lapid largely lived in Tel Aviv during his tenure as prime minister.[4]
Architecture
[edit]The building is composed of several square blocks connected to one another and in the center of the building there is a stairway, decorated with a row of windows in the front. The front of the building also includes a section molded in a circular way, and in a boat-like fashion typical of the International Style. The house is coated with Jerusalem stone. The premises include an inner courtyard (patio)—an element that differs from the common International Style, but is common among Islamic-style buildings. The patio was most probably added by request from the Aghion family.
Proposed residence relocation
[edit]On 8 February 2009, the Israeli government approved the Almog Project, which provided that the official residence of the Prime Minister be united with his office within the government complex, thus replacing Beit Aghion. The cost of that planned project was around 650 million shekels ($162 million USD), and thus was criticized as overly extravagant. On 5 April, the decision to move the official residence of the Prime Minister of Israel was canceled.[5]
In 2014, the Almog plan was reinitiated.[6] However, in October 2018, its advancement was halted. In 2019, the Prime Minister's Office began developing an alternative plan, in another location on the Government Campus in Jerusalem − the "Shira" project. Additionally, it was recommended that until a new building is constructed, the Prime Minister's Office should rectify and repair safety and protection deficiencies in the Beit Aghion.[7]
Nevertheless, Beit Aghion has not been renovated since Netanyahu vacated in July 2021. Nor has building of a new residence been initiated. Since Netanyahu returned to office in 2023, he has resided in his homes in Caesarea and on Gaza Road in Jerusalem. On June 30, 2024, Netanyahu's government approved NIS 37.5 million to build the new compound.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Kershner, Isabel (14 June 2021). "For Israel's Netanyahu, the Official Residence Became a Fortress". New York Times. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ Cashman, Greer. "Balfour, the prime minister's residence, as a symbol". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ "Homes fit for a prime minister: From Ben Gurion's shack to Netanyahu's compound". Haaretz.
- ^ "Cabinet okays advancement of new plans to build combined office/residence for PM". Times of Israel. July 1, 2024.
- ^ Cabinet decision #12, April 5, 2009, Benjamin Netanyahu 32 Government
- ^ "Plane and new residence for PM okayed by ministers". Times of Israel. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ "Prime Minister's Office The Construction and Protection of the Prime Ministers' Residences and the Prime Minister's Office" (PDF). State Comptroller. April 24, 2024.
- ^ "Cabinet okays advancement of new plans to build combined office/residence for PM". Times of Israel. July 1, 2024.
