The Political Economy of Migrants’ Night-time Leisure Industry in Israel

Keywords: night-time economy, urban development, migrants, public space, Israel
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 75

Abstract

In the past decade, a lively migrant-oriented night-time economy has been developed in many of Israel's deteriorating neighborhoods. Chief among its businesses are small bars, known as Hamaras. Hamaras have since been racialized, stigmatized, and targeted by the authorities, which shut down many of them in military-like, nightly raids. In most cases, owners were fined, customers were physically searched, and sometimes detained. Official justifications for closures have been twofold. First, their illegality, which threatens public health and safety and second, their being sites of excessive alcohol consumption, which bequeaths petty crime, street fighting, and prostitution.

However, in this paper I argue that the massive crackdown has been motivated in part by political economic reasons. As Hamaras are located in run-down neighborhoods, that are slated for urban renewal programs, they constitute a major hurdle in the way of local growth coalitions consisting of inter alia politicians, urban consultants, and real estate entrepreneurs. Rather than regulate these small businesses, coalition members seek their elimination in the name of urban development. Eliminating Hamaras, it is hoped, would weaken important socioeconomic bases of the migrant community’s night-time leisure industry and accelerate the departure of (some of its) members. Subsequently, alternative, more ‘desirable’ night-time crowds and activities, including Israeli-owned hamaras and taverns, will be drawn to the now ‘cleaned up’ area. By drawing on qualitative methods, the paper documents the destruction of the migrant-oriented leisure industry, arguing that it constitutes a salient classed, gendered and radicalised strategy geared towards large-scale transformations across Israeli cities.