Wartime Shelter: Indictment of Employer of Illegal Residents

The phenomenon of illegal labor migrants continues to trouble the Israeli police, including some residents of Gaza who are present in Israel. An indictment was filed today through the Police Legal Department against a resident of Sderot who employed and housed Gaza residents in violation of the law during the wartime.

The Lachish Police Complaints Unit filed an indictment today at the Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court against the accused, Mohammad Saadi, a 20-year-old resident of Sderot. At the end of last week, police officers at the Sderot station apprehended him in the city, holding two Gaza residents whom he employed and housed over the past few months, contrary to the conditions of the permits they held. Even after the outbreak of the war, despite knowing that their stay permits were revoked.

The accused is charged with illegal residence and employment. The court determined that the accused would remain in full house arrest until the completion of the legal proceedings and under additional restrictive conditions. The suspects, residents of Gaza, were interrogated and further investigations and legal proceedings are underway. The Israel Police will show zero tolerance towards those who violate the law and may jeopardize the security of citizens, especially during times of war.

Harshening the punishment regarding illegal labor migrants

As reported last week, 18 closure orders were issued by the Southern District Commander, Brigadier General Amir Cohen, to businesses in the Negev settlements that employed illegal residents during the fighting in the south.

As part of the recent activity, the Southern District Commander, Brigadier General Amir Cohen, issued closure orders for 18 businesses in settlements and the Segev Shalom area, including Aruar, Lakiya, Hura, Tel Sheva, Moshav Patish, Shuva, and the town of Rahat. These businesses, including a butcher shop, bakery, a car wash, a supermarket, a café, a barbershop, a garage, and more, employed illegal residents, most of whom were Gaza residents who stayed in the country without permission.

After the horrific massacre on October 7, the police tightened the guidelines regarding the employment of illegal labor migrants and issued closure orders due to concerns that businesses would continue to commit similar offenses.