On the eve of the closure: a journey between the stalls of the Jerusalem market • Zion claims where and where between the demonstrators and the worshipers • Vic is sure to have a "huge mess" • And Ayelet is afraid of the economic damage •
The traffic last night in the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem was thinner than usual.
At times, it was easy to forget that this is the beating heart of the Israeli capital.
Its residents, who completed their shopping ahead of Rosh Hashanah in the Mahane Yehuda market, among the vegetable and fruit stalls, felt quite a bit confused in the face of the closure regulations that will be implemented today, and were harshly critical of their formulation and publication.
Photo: GPO
"Once each politician pulls in his own direction, it is impossible to understand this closure," said Zion Navon, who arrived early in the evening for a shopping trip ahead of the holiday.
"How do you allow thousands of people to demonstrate even though there will be a closure? The people are tired. I do not believe they will keep the regulations. We do where and where between the demonstrations and the synagogues. The public does not understand what they want from it."
Vic Asel, who hurried out of the market with bags full of goodies, also sounded pessimistic: "There will be a huge mess. They say 'go to the sea - but do not bathe'. Everything is regrettable."
Shlomi Ohana, the owner of Fish and Chips in the market, announced that he intends to continue working in the closure as well.
"We will remain open because we are selling food. It is a state of war. If you want to close, they will close everything. Why are you afraid to say a state of emergency? It should be black or white."
In a cafe on the outskirts of the market sat Ayelet Yinon, who stopped for a few moments after completing the shopping.
"It is impossible to enforce 500 meters," she stated, "I am a special education teacher and I will go to work, but in general these regulations are not enforceable. These are regulations that the public will not be able to comply with. The virus will remain, but weaken everyone."
The sun has long since set, and the aisles, which are tiredly crowded on Thursdays as they are repaired, are wide open.
"There is uncertainty as to who is allowed to open and who is not.
"Look - here was a spice paddy for 38 years and closed," he said, pointing to the nearby stand, "let us open and work, let us free the people. The whole day was empty in the market. There is no holiday atmosphere."