New Jerusalem Market Opens on Shabbat Amidst Tensions
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
A new market inspired by European "Sunday markets" has opened on Saturdays in Jerusalem at the YMCA complex, featuring local food and crafts. The initiative by the "Yerushalmim" movement and the YMCA is a three-week pilot. The market aims to provide a Saturday leisure option for secular and traditional residents and visitors, with vendors including reservists and both Jewish and Arab locals. Organizers are aware of potential protests but are optimistic due to high demand.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A new market opened on Saturdays in Jerusalem, offering local food and crafts.
- The market is a three-week pilot initiative by the "Yerushalmim" movement and the YMCA.
- It aims to provide a Saturday leisure option for secular and traditional residents.
- Vendors include reservists and both Jewish and Arab locals.
- The opening follows the closure of "Cafe Alley" on weekends due to Haredi protests.
- Organizers anticipate potential protests but note high demand.
A new market, inspired by European Sunday markets, has opened in Jerusalem on Saturdays, approximately one month after the "Cafe Alley" coffee shop closed its weekend operations due to repeated protests by Haredi demonstrators. The market, located at the YMCA complex on King David Street, features stalls offering local food and handicrafts, including jewelry, ceramics, organic cotton clothing, and vintage items, alongside a tattoo booth. Culinary offerings include falafel, Jerusalem bagels, hummus, knafeh, and Armenian food. The initiative is spearheaded by the "Yerushalmim" movement, led by Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz, and the Jerusalem branch of the YMCA. It is currently operating as a three-week pilot, having launched last Saturday and continuing this coming Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
One of the market's initiators, Eili Ha'bar, 25, who serves in the reserves and fought in Gaza, expressed her desire to create a Saturday attraction in Jerusalem. "We wanted to do something on Shabbat in Jerusalem," she stated. "The market idea went through many stages, but we knew we wanted to incorporate local produce, and it was important to me to include reservists. It was difficult to achieve this, but we insisted it would be on Shabbat." Ha'bar acknowledged the possibility of protests but expressed hope for a positive outcome, noting significant demand and a waiting list for stalls.
Schwartz hailed the market as "great news for the secular and traditional public in the city, and for visitors from all over the country," adding, "We will continue to make a Jerusalem where there is a place for everyone."
Khaled Shami, 35, from Beit Hanina, who runs a stall selling falafel, bagels, schnitzel, and fries, shared his positive experience. "We started well," he said. "Jews and Arabs are working together, many people are coming. People sat here with their children and played. I don't see a problem with opening on Shabbat. I feel there are people who lack places to go on this day, and frankly, they deserve to enjoy themselves too. It's a day off. There was a good atmosphere, everyone was happy, and it also brings Arabs and Jews closer, helps our connection."
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