The Israeli cabinet yesterday voted to support several bills and amendments restricting the sale and consumption of alcohol. According to one of the proposals, the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 21 would be forbidden, as well as the sale of alcoholic beverages after 11 p.m. Pubs, clubs and restaurants would be allowed to continue night-time sales, since they serve alcoholic beverages that are consumed on the spot.
The law would also see consumption of alcohol in public places banned. Police would have the power to seize alcohol being consumed in public and pour out the contents of bottles.
Licenses to sell alcoholic beverages would also be restricted to designated shops. Establishments that violate the new provisions could be closed for 30 days.
The current law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors would be expanded to outlaw the “provision” of alcohol to minors, in a bid to tackle the practice of minors asking adults to buy intoxicating drinks on their behalf.
At the beginning of the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that the initiative was part of a national “war on alcoholism,” and called on the Knesset to pass the legislation.
“According to the World Health Organization, Israel is second in the world in consumption of alcohol by 11 year-olds, and the rate of consumption among 15-to-17-year-olds is over 50%,” the prime minister went on. “We are at the onset of an epidemic.
“We are in need of this legislation promptly. Israel awaits it,” he concluded.
Data released recently by the Public Security Ministry ranked Israel as second in Europe for alcohol abuse by 11-year-olds.
Some 19 percent of boys and 8% of girls aged 11 who were surveyed by the Anti-Drug Authority said they drank alcohol at least once a week. Referencing WHO figures, only Ukraine had higher levels of drinking among that age group.
According to the Anti-Drug Authority’s figures, 32.6% of 12-to-18-year-olds have gotten drunk at least once in the past year – a rise of 7.6% from three years ago.
Among 18-to-21-year-olds, 63.8% said they were drunk at least once this year, and 61.3% said they consumed at least five units of alcohol over the past month.
Of the 40 countries in Europe researched by the WHO, Israelis aged 13 came in 15th place for alcohol abuse, while the nation’s 15-year-olds came in 32nd place.
{JPost/Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}
although i understand the need for such a law, its still ironic that 18 year olds MUST fight and sadly at times die for israel but still cant buy alcohol. At least all soldiers shoul be exempt to this law.
When I was in yeshiva in E”Y 40 years ago, I remember that a five year old could walk into a corner Makolet and but a bottle of Araq. Drunkenness was never a big problem. If they enact these laws, mark my words, drunkenness and alcoholism will explode. On the other hand, due to the influx of Russians in the past 25 years, maybe there is no choice but to enact these laws!
The apearance of alcohol in E”Y was not due to the Russians – it was due to the Americans. When I was living there thirty years ago, going to Hebrew University, I noted that there were no bars in Yerushalayim, one place that might have been called a night club which served alcohol, and that my Israeli friends never offered anyone a drink (except on Purim.) One day I went to visit a family during the week and they offered me an alcholic drink. I was surprised and said so. They replied that since I was American they figured I would want one – they now kept a few bottles in the house because Americans usually wanted something.
So don’t blame the Russians – the Americans got there first.
Some 19 percent of boys and 8% of girls aged 11 who were surveyed by the Anti-Drug Authority said they drank alcohol at least once a week…
Hmmm great quote to say everyone is having Wine for Kiddush on Shabbat eh??? Ummm WAKE UP.
According to the Anti-Drug Authoritys figures, 32.6% of 12-to-18-year-olds have gotten drunk at least once in the past year – a rise of 7.6% from three years ago.
Hmmm great quote to say everyone is having Wine for Kiddush on Shabbat eh??? Ummm WAKE UP.
Once a week.. should be twice(Friday night and Shabbos Day hmm)
Among 18-to-21-year-olds, 63.8% said they were drunk at least once this year, and 61.3% said they consumed at least five units of alcohol over the past month.
Again same statistic??? How does this show anything wrong?? PURIM HELLO??? Once a year drunk..
These sound like a strange way of looking at a problem..
How about drunk driving G-D Fobid going up or, Drunk in public NOT on Holiday or minors with public possesion not intending to bring it home for the family? Even problems in schools or rise in work areas.. These would send up a flag yet those other stats dont show anything but a Jewish Society. Please people lets not mix things up. If there is trouble ; not trying to down play it yet also want to prevent a hysteria which leads to too many controls which cause rebelion. Parents wake up, Gov chill out.
All the best a Gutten Touk,
Yehoshua