Last update - 00:00 22/10/2006
Knesset committee accepts proposal to close pubs by 2 A.M.
By Yuval Yoaz and Gideon Alon, Haaretz Correspondents
The ministerial committee for legislation approved a bill proposed Sunday by Kadima MK Ruhama Avraham that would close pubs and clubs that sell alcoholic beverages between 2 A.M. and 6 A.M.
Committee chairman, Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit, said that the continuation of the legislation of the bill would be jointly coordinated between the Justice Ministry, Interior Ministry, and the Public Security Ministry.
MK Avraham said that the decision to initiate the bill comes as an effort to drastically minimize alcohol consumption in bars and nightclubs, which she says causes violence and fatal traffic accidents.
Avraham said that in other international cities such as New York, London, and Bangkok, it is customary to close the bars earlier during the night, and that there is no reason that Israel shouldn't do so as well.
Justice Minister Sheetrit said that his office will work towards adding a restriction to the bill, allowing supermarkets that operate 24 hours to stay open, but prohibiting the sale of alcohol during those late night hours.
"As a father, I am aware of the dangers that our children face as a result of drunk driving," said Sheetrit at a meeting Sunday.
"The bill's approval constitutes another stage in the war on violence, especially in traffic accidents."
MK Avraham said she intends to invite nightclub and bar owners to the preliminary Knesset hearing on the bill, in order to discuss options of closing other businesses during the late night hours that sell alcoholic beverages, such as restaurants and convenience stores.