Unlicensed stores thrive at airport
More than 80 businesses at Ben-Gurion International Airport do not have appropriate permits; Airport Authority places blame on franchisees
The newspaper reported that 80 out of the total 170 businesses, including fast food stalls, restaurants, and Jewellery shops, do not have the appropriate permits - several have not even applied, while others were refused licenses down due a failure to comply with various regulations.
However, a failure to obtain the approval of the
fire department, police, Interior Ministry, Environment Ministry and Health Ministry have not hindered businesses from continuing to operate as usual, in blatant violation of the law.
Applications for a business license is usually rejected due to the absence of an emergency exit, the use of flammable materials, or the lack of suitable fire extinguishing equipment, among other problems.
Legal action taken
The Interior Ministry's central district manager Dr. Shuki Amrani, who is responsible for granting business licenses, confirmed the troubling reports.
He said his office has taken steps to
resolve the issue, but has also requested the airport to prevent further businesses from opening without obtaining licenses and meeting legal requirements.
"The Interior Ministry's central district has taken legal action against 15 of the 80 businesses that have operated without licenses," he said. "Some were handed court orders demanding they close and others were fined."
However, Health Ministry spokesman Itay Litman said most businesses did not receive the appropriate permits due to hazardous flaws beyond simple sanitation and infrastructure errors.
In response, the Airport Authority's Spokesman's Office issued a statement pointing the finger at franchise holders.
"The responsibility for ensuring a business license lies with the franchisee," the statement read. "The Authority, responsible for operating the airport, is presently assisting in the process and maintains ongoing contacts with the franchisees and government officials regarding the status of each and every request."
Ironically, the October 2004 inauguration of the new terminal, which featured 3,000 guests on hand, was also held without Health Ministry approval, after it refused to permit the serving of food due to an absence of basic sanitary conditions.
Once again, the Airport Authority placed the blame on an external production company, which it said at the time was responsible for arranging the appropriate permits.
