Jerusalem Court Blocks Municipality from Enforcing Noise Rules on Mahane Yehuda Market Bars

The Jerusalem District Court, sitting as an administrative court, fully accepted a petition from eight bar owners in the Mahane Yehuda Market against the Jerusalem Municipality's enforcement procedures regarding noise violations. The court ruled that the municipality cannot confiscate sound equipment or speakers from businesses in the market on noise violation grounds. The judge noted the municipality failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify changing its enforcement policy and described the enforcement as aggressive, excessive, and sometimes arbitrary.

The court further clarified that, absent a judicial ruling to the contrary, Mahane Yehuda Market is not considered a residential area for noise regulation purposes. Therefore, the municipality cannot apply residential noise laws to the market. The court annulled the municipality's policy that imposed exceptional restrictions on bar operations, declaring it unauthorized. Jerusalem Municipality was also ordered to pay the petitioners' legal costs amounting to 32,000 shekels.

In response, the municipality stated it is reviewing the ruling and will comply with its directives while emphasizing that it retains enforcement powers and will continue to uphold public order, visitor safety, residents' quality of life, and public space according to the law and court decisions. The municipality stressed that all businesses remain obligated to comply with licenses, permits, and applicable laws.

City Council member Ariel Baziz, responsible for business affairs, welcomed the ruling as an important development and an opportunity to balance the unique character of Mahane Yehuda Market. He highlighted his ongoing efforts to ensure the market's traditional and evolving businesses coexist harmoniously.

Separately, recent protests by ultra-Orthodox residents against a café opening on Shabbat in the market have led to repeated demonstrations and police intervention to prevent disorder. Supporters and opponents of the café clashed, with police warning protesters to disperse or face forceful measures.