Legendary Tel Aviv Ice Pop Seller Faces Unprecedented Challenges After 47 Years

Shimon Yazdi, the iconic ice pop vendor at Jerusalem Beach in Tel Aviv, has been serving beachgoers for 47 years and has become a symbol of the city's summer. Known for his famous sales chants, including the memorable phrase "Hello ice pop ice pop, I'm leaving. Kids, cry to your mom," Yazdi has witnessed generations of vacationers grow up with his presence. However, this summer presents him with particularly difficult challenges that directly affect his livelihood.

In an interview with HaOlam HaBoker, Yazdi, 71, explained that the intense heatwave has caused a sharp decline in the number of beach visitors, leading to a significant drop in ice pop sales. He described the current situation as unprecedented in his decades of experience, stating, "In 47 years here, I've never had a summer like this, not even during the COVID-19 pandemic."

To adapt, Yazdi has replaced carrying his heavy ice box on his shoulder with a mobile trolley to navigate the sandy beach more easily. He has also embraced modern technology by accepting payments through the Bit app, acknowledging the decline in cash usage among customers. Despite these changes, he has maintained stable prices for the past ten years. Even after long days under the scorching sun, Yazdi's passion for his work and daily interactions with beachgoers remains strong. He insists, "I am young, not old!" and shows no intention of stopping anytime soon.