Jaffa Abulafia Branch Closed for 30 Days Over Undocumented Workers
Tel Aviv police closed an Abulafia bakery branch in Jaffa for 30 days after finding five undocumented workers, marking the chain's third closure in half a year amid tightened enforcement.
The Tel Aviv District Police Commander has signed a 30-day administrative closure order for the Abulafia bakery restaurant located on Shalbim Street in Jaffa, following the discovery of five West Bank residents allegedly working without valid residency and work permits.
The decision followed a proactive inspection carried out by Jaffa police officers in cooperation with the Ayalon District licensing department, as part of the Israel Police's ongoing enforcement operations against the employment of undocumented individuals.
According to police statements, during the operation conducted on November 9, 2026, the five workers were found staying and working at the business without lawful permits. Following the inspection findings, licensing officers moved to close the facility, and the district commander signed an administrative closure order that took effect on November 10 and runs through December 9, 2026, inclusive.
Ongoing Enforcement and Previous Closures
Police emphasized that the investigation into the matter is continuing in order to bring those involved to justice, stressing that district forces will continue to crack down on employers, transporters, and harborers of undocumented persons.
The closure of the Shalbim Street branch comes mere days after identical measures were taken against another branch of the chain. Earlier this month, the district commander signed a 30-day administrative closure order for the Abulafia branch on HaShlosha Street in Tel Aviv after an inspection revealed three undocumented workers employed illegally, and a criminal investigation was launched against management.
The incident on HaShlosha Street marked the second closure of that specific branch within just five months. Last June, seven undocumented workers were found at the same location, prompting police to issue a 30-day closure order alongside the detention of three business owners for questioning.
Legal Proceedings and Business Impact
In that previous case, the business owners appealed to the court, which decided to shorten the order's duration to about two weeks. Branch owner Mahmoud Abulafia stated at the time that the workers had been hired through an external employment agency and that he was fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities.
The sequence of administrative closure orders issued against two branches of the chain within a short timeframe illustrates the tightening oversight by the Tel Aviv District Police over the restaurant and catering sector. Alongside criminal proceedings initiated against business owners, a month-long administrative closure inflicts operational and financial damage due to lost working days and ongoing revenue.
