The Bank of Israel Building in Jerusalem’s Government Complex is undergoing a general overhaul and a new component has been added to the work, a NIS 150 million component. The building will be fortified to withstand a missile attack.

The fortification was not included in the original plan, with the work beginning three years ago. Needless to say, the new demand will increase the cost of the overhaul project as well as completion date.

The original budget was NIS 400 million which included NIS 260 million for building a new unit. The latest addition, the fortification against a missile attack, was added according to some after Israel’s recent confrontations with Syria, involving Iran.

The MyNet report adds that even Hizbullah has missiles capable of striking the building as well. The Nechushtan Committee, which was responsible for evaluating the fortification of buildings in the government complex, rated the Bank of Israel High priority target, which demands it withstand a direct missile strike.

As the work is taking place, eight floors have been rented in the Technological Tower in Mount Scopus.

In 2015, 700 employees of the bank moved to the northern Jerusalem Technological Center, which continues to add a noticeable strain to traffic and parking resources.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)