After Jerusalem police during recent months closed down a number of businesses in and around Machane Yehuda, a criminal indictment has now been filed against the owners of the Fishnzon Bar, in the Machane Yehuda area of Jerusalem, for operating without a police permit or business license.

In a related matter, a court has ruled that an administrative closure order issued by police against a pub in the shuk area remains in place. Because of a number of incidents involving violence in the establishment, police ordered the pub closed for ten days. In one brawl, pedestrians outside were injured.

After the closure order was issued, the owners took the case to the city’s administrative court, seeking to have the police order overturned, but the effort failed.

Machane Yehuda and the surrounding streets have become a major nighttime entertainment area, with many of the closed vegetable stalls converted to pubs and restaurants.

The frum community in nearby Knesset Aleph, Beis and Gimmel have complained on numerous occasions due to the lack of modesty associated with the new nighttime life, not to mention the loud music. All complaints fell on deaf ears during the tenure of former Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, and today, the nighttime life in the shuk is a fait accompli.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)