Police said it is continuing focused enforcement against the alleged employment, transportation and accommodation of people without legal permits to stay in Israel. In recent days, Tel Aviv District Commander Maj. Gen. Haim Sargarof signed three administrative closure orders for businesses in the Dan and Tel Aviv subdistricts after people without permits were allegedly found working there.
On the evening of January 19, 2026, officers from Sharet Police Station and the Tel Aviv Wing of the Border Police raided a hookah shop on Har Zion Street in Tel Aviv. Police found a resident of the Palestinian territories without a legal stay permit who was allegedly working, staying and sleeping at the business. The suspect was arrested for questioning, and the business owner was detained and questioned under caution. Licensing officers later moved to close the business, and the Tel Aviv District commander signed a 30-day administrative closure order effective through February 19, 2026.
In another case, a pub in Kiryat Ono was closed after Population and Immigration Authority inspectors, working with Mesubim Police Station officers, found four residents of the Palestinian territories without legal stay permits who were allegedly employed at the business. The four and the business owner were arrested and taken for questioning, and the four were later jailed. The Tel Aviv District Prosecution Unit filed an indictment against them alleging unlawful entry or residence in Israel, use of a forged document and impersonation, along with a request to detain them until the end of legal proceedings. Following the investigation, the district commander signed a 30-day administrative closure order for the pub, from January 21 through February 19, 2026. The investigation involving the business owner is continuing.
In a separate operation on January 19, 2026, officers from the Barkan Unit at Sharet Police Station and the Tel Aviv Wing of the Border Police inspected a parking lot on HaGdud HaIvri Street in Tel Aviv. They found a resident of the Palestinian territories without a legal stay permit who was allegedly employed and staying at the parking lot. The suspect was arrested for questioning, and the parking lot owners were detained and questioned under caution. A 30-day administrative closure order was later issued for the parking lot, effective through February 20, 2026.
Police said increased enforcement at businesses and workplaces will continue in an effort to protect public safety.
