Ashkelon loft shut for 15 days after violent graduation party and underage drinking

Late Thursday night, after midnight, police received a report of violence at a loft in the Cosmos complex near the Silver Junction in Ashkelon. When officers from the Ashkelon station arrived, they found a 10th grade graduation party in progress, with young people drinking alcohol and no responsible adult supervising them.

Police said the business was also operating without the business license required by law. The Ashkelon station opened an investigation, questioned the owners, and collected evidence indicating the event was being held in violation of the law.

After a hearing for the business owners before the station’s operations officer, police ordered the loft closed under an administrative closure order for 15 days, using the authority granted by Section 23A of the Business Licensing Law.

The Ashkelon station commander said, “The Israel Police views very seriously events involving minors together with alcohol consumption without oversight and supervision. We will continue to act decisively against businesses operating contrary to the law, in order to protect public safety and especially the wellbeing of young people.”