In recent days, the Jerusalem Municipality completed the replacement of old market stands on Sultan Suleiman Street with new upgraded stalls, given to business owners free of charge. The booths stand clean and orderly near the Old City walls, operated by the same vendors who were removed from the sidewalks. The move aims to upgrade the public space and boost local commerce and tourism.
Major upgrade on Sultan Suleiman Street
According to the municipality, the project included an investment of around 100 million shekels: new sidewalks, benches and street furniture, fountains, renovated building facades, tree planting and underground trash containers. The new stalls now host Jerusalem bagels, coffee and convenience sellers. Enforcement measures were taken against those who refused to vacate, and authorities say there are currently no illegal businesses on the sidewalks.
Jerusalem bagels return to a busy area
The upgrade was carried out by the Eden Company as part of the East CBD development plan, strengthening the business center of East Jerusalem along Sultan Suleiman Street, Damascus Gate and Salah ad-Din Street. A similar urban upgrade four years ago at Electricity Square turned the area into a popular shopping and café hub.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion: “Mabrouk! East Jerusalem is upgrading, and so is the public space. Sultan Suleiman is getting organized stalls, wider sidewalks, fountains and seating areas for residents and visitors.”
Veteran bagel seller Najem Abu Sinina, whose family has sold bagels in the area for sixty years, said the upgrade brings back the lively days of local shopping and street culture.
It should be noted that not all vendors are satisfied. Some who were removed from the sidewalks near the Old City say the decision harms a long-standing tradition of open street vending. Among parts of the Palestinian public, the move is viewed as an attempt to Judaize the public space and reduce Palestinian visibility in the area.
