Jaffa's "The Old Man and the Sea" Restaurant Closed Over Illegal Workers

Tel Aviv District Police issued a 30-day administrative closure order against the famous "The Old Man and the Sea" restaurant in Jaffa after police found two undocumented workers employed without permits.

The closure, effective until November 3, stems from a targeted police raid conducted on October 4 by Jaffa station officers and Border Police forces. During the inspection, officers discovered two West Bank residents in their 20s and 30s staying in Israel illegally and working at the establishment.

The 34-year-old Jaffa resident who owns the business was arrested and subjected to a criminal investigation before being released under restrictive conditions. Police licensing authorities subsequently reviewed the findings and presented them to the district commander, who ordered the immediate administrative closure.

This marks the fourth time the popular restaurant has faced closure for similar offenses. Previous closures occurred several years ago, while a major raid three months ago uncovered 12 Palestinian workers employed in violation of permit conditions alongside two undocumented individuals.