A legislative amendment expanding police enforcement powers against businesses that employ or house ‘Palestinians’ without permits in Judea and Samaria took effect Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in Israel’s crackdown on illegal entry.
Under the new law, police can now issue immediate administrative closure orders for businesses found employing or housing ‘Palestinians’ without proper permits—authority that until now didn’t apply in Judea and Samaria. The district commander will sign the administrative orders, as he did Tuesday night when he ordered the closure of a business in Mishor Adumim. The move was pushed by Judea and Samaria District Commander Superintendent Moshe Pinchi.
The amendment targets what Israeli authorities describe as a persistent problem of ‘Palestinians’ entering Israel illegally, who are often involved in criminal or security offenses. Until now, the authority to immediately shut down locations employing or housing unauthorized Arabs didn’t apply in Judea and Samaria, but the legislative change now extends those enforcement powers to the territory.
Under the order, employing or housing an unauthorized Arab is now a serious criminal offense—punishable by up to four years in prison, and up to seven years under aggravating circumstances, along with fines and additional restrictions. The law also authorizes police to issue administrative closure orders for locations used for illegal employment or housing for up to 30 days, with courts able to extend them until legal proceedings conclude.
Days ago, under the new framework, Border Police fighters and officers from the Maale Adumim station found an Arab man without entry permits working at a restaurant in Mishor Adumim. The suspect was taken for questioning at the station along with the person suspected of employing him.
Judea and Samaria District Commander Superintendent Moshe Pinchi said: “This is a significant step in strengthening security. Employing and housing illegal residents carries security and criminal risks.”