A joint team of Jerusalem Municipality inspectors and officers from the Jerusalem District Police operated on Friday afternoon near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, removing unlicensed fruit and vegetable stalls placed along the plaza. During the operation, a confrontation erupted between the sellers, whose goods were confiscated, and the enforcement teams, escalating into force and physical pushing. One of the sellers was detained for questioning.
Illegal stall clearance at Damascus Gate
The inspectors and police arrived shortly after the end of Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, as large crowds made their way from the Temple Mount through Damascus Gate. The officers, equipped with electric ATVs, loaded confiscated crates of produce in front of surprised passers-by. A scuffle quickly developed between the enforcement teams and the sellers, leading to forceful pushing and moments of chaos. One seller was arrested by Border Police officers and taken for questioning.
#شاهد | قوات الاحتلال تعتقل شاباً بعد الاعتداء عليه بالضرب خلال عمله في منطقة باب العامود بالقدس المحتلة pic.twitter.com/Vq8tvoWEsr
— وكالة شهاب للأنباء (@ShehabAgency) November 7, 2025
Palestinian networks claim “Judaization of Jerusalem”
For several weeks in October and November 2025, authorities have been conducting demolition and clearance operations targeting unlicensed stalls and small selling areas around Damascus Gate. Previous operations took place on the far side of the street, while Friday’s action happened directly beside the gate itself.
The enforcement activity, carried out by the Jerusalem Municipality with police support, drew wide coverage in Palestinian media and on social networks. Commentators described it as part of “occupation policies aimed at Judaizing Jerusalem” and restricting Palestinian presence in public urban space. Palestinian sources argued that the stalls represent a long-standing local market tradition and that the clearance harms the livelihood of hundreds of small vendors from nearby towns and villages.
Dispute over traditional street trade
Damascus Gate is a historic entry point to the Muslim Quarter and has served as a busy commercial center for centuries. Women and local merchants from surrounding towns often set up temporary stands selling fruit, vegetables, clothing, and daily goods, especially on Fridays and during Ramadan. The Jerusalem Municipality defines these stalls as illegal due to lack of permits and carries out periodic enforcement to regulate the public space. Palestinian organizations label the actions as “harassment” and an attempt to erase cultural heritage.
In recent weeks, small protests took place near the gate, featuring slogans against the “occupation” and calls to protect local market traditions. Groups such as the Waqf warned that continued clearance could spark tension, echoing events of 2021 at Damascus Gate. No widespread violence was reported, but vendors vowed to continue a legal battle against the demolitions.
