Between last week’s missile alerts and the watermelon stalls along Agripas Street, something in Jerusalem is beginning to thaw. The sun is as strong as ever, and in the coming days, the sounds of children may once again fill schoolyards operating the “Big Vacation School” program. At Mahane Yehuda Market, more vendors are expected to reopen their stands — not in fear of sirens, but in hopes of actual shoppers
The ceasefire between Israel and Iran is still fragile, but many in Jerusalem are cautiously hopeful
“I honestly thought we wouldn’t open at all this summer,” says Itzik, a veteran fruit seller in the market. “We sat at home with crates of fruit, uncertain and afraid. Now, slowly, people are coming back. Maybe this won’t be a normal summer — but it could be a new beginning
From shelters to summer camps
If the security situation holds, the Jerusalem Municipality is expected to announce the full reopening of its summer activities — including camps, workshops, community events, and public “Big Vacation School” programs. Many of these camps, originally set for July, will begin operating soon.
“The counselors are ready, and so are the kids,” says Sharon, a mother of three from Pisgat Ze’ev. “We were completely frozen for two weeks — everything was canceled or postponed. Now there’s a fresh energy, even if we’re still being cautious. The kids need this, maybe even more than we do
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According to Home Front Command guidelines, most camps will operate near protected shelters — in case quiet turns out to be temporary
Will tourists return? Jerusalem hopes so
In the Old City, shopkeepers report only scattered visitors. Tourism offices are still waiting to see if the ceasefire brings real change. But if calm continues, officials expect a slow recovery in Jerusalem’s summer tourism — especially from English-speaking countries like the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia
“This summer still has a chance to turn around,” says Shula, who runs a souvenir shop near Damascus Gate. “We’re seeing a few brave tourists — people who didn’t cancel their trips. But the large groups haven’t returned yet. Give us two quiet weeks, some sense of safety — and they’ll come. It’s still Jerusalem, after all
And so, between watermelon slices and spice stalls, between cautious reopening of camps and always-ready shelters — Jerusalem is trying to reclaim its rhythm. A half-breath summer, with full-hearted hope
