Ahead of New Year celebrations, Tel Aviv District Commander Maj. Gen. Haim Sargarof signed administrative closure orders for a restaurant and another food business in central Tel Aviv. The decision followed the discovery at both locations of people without legal permits to stay in Israel who were allegedly employed there. The employers were arrested for questioning.
Police said officers increased inspections of businesses and construction sites as part of focused enforcement against the alleged employment, transportation and accommodation of people staying in Israel without permits, particularly at locations where such activity is suspected. Police said the operation is intended to strengthen public safety.
The first case occurred on December 29, when officers from Lev Tel Aviv Police Station in the Yarkon Subdistrict inspected a restaurant on Kaufmann Yehezkel Street. They found three residents of the Palestinian territories without legal permits to stay in Israel who were allegedly employed at the restaurant. The three were arrested, along with the employer, a 26-year-old resident of the village of Zemer in the Sharon region, who was questioned under caution.
On December 30, officers from Lev Tel Aviv Police Station inspected a fast-food business on Bograshov Street. They found three residents of the Palestinian territories without legal stay permits, who were arrested at the scene. The employer, a 49-year-old Tel Aviv resident, was also arrested for questioning.
Following the findings, Lev Tel Aviv investigators and Yarkon Subdistrict licensing officers moved to close the businesses. The Tel Aviv District commander signed 30-day administrative closure orders, effective through January 29, 2026.
