Lion: Lives will be lost if Mahaneh Yehuda remains closed

Stall owners at Mahaneh Yehuda, central Jerusalem’s famed shuk (outdoor market), protested at the entrance of the market on Sunday morning due to its extended closure, despite the government easing restrictions on other businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Clashes began between the large crowd of marketplace workers and police who arrived at the scene. One worker was arrested and fined after failing to follow the requests of an officer.

A sign at the entrance of the market read, “Welcome to

IKEA Mahaneh Yehuda,” a gesture referring to anger sparked by the opening of IKEA stores in Israel – despite the danger of long lines and crowded stores putting customers at risk of contracting the coronavirus.

Later on Sunday, Army Radio reported that the long-time owner of one store in the market committed suicide, citing financial fears.

“I am horrified and pained by the bitter news arriving from Mahaneh Yehuda,” said Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion. “A business owner that could not stand the financial whirlwind has ended his life. I urge the government to open the market immediately. The livelihood of thousands of families is in danger. Any delay could cost human lives.”

Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, municipal wardens and police dispersed tent protests initiated by self-employed workers and small business owners during the weekend on Rothschild Boulevard and Volvovski-Karni Garden, near the Arlozorov Interchange, to oppose the government’s response to the economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis.

Dozens of demonstrators were ordered to immediately leave after violating Health Ministry rules on crowding and municipal restrictions on establishing protest tents. According to municipal laws, setting up tents is permitted for 48 hours, but only after giving 12 hours notice to the municipality and fulfilling a range of demands.

“In a scandalous and anti-democratic move, the authorities decided to evacuate the tent protest on Rothschild Boulevard,” protester

increased vigilance against attempts by outside powers to take advantage of North Korea’s weakness during a leadership transition,” he said, adding: “There would be calls to heighten the country’s defenses against the US and South Korea and increase, rather than abandon, Pyongyang’s nuclear-weapons arsenal.”

Regarding the most likely successors to Kim, Klinger said two were from the Kim family, and one was a nonfamily member.

“Until recently, it was widely assumed that the strict Confucian culture of North Korea precluded choosing a woman to rule the nation,” he said. “However, Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, has gained prominence and authority in recent years.”

“Though nominally lower in rank to others in the North Korea delegation that attended the South Korean Olympics in 2018, she clearly was the real leader,” he added. “Since then, she has gained important titles giving her more stature. She recently issued a statement in her name criticizing South Korea’s response to North Korea’s missile launch.”

Next in line might be Kim Jong Un’s half-uncle, Kim Pyong Il, the remaining sibling of previous leader Kim Jong Il.

“He also has the ‘Mount Paektu bloodline’ of North Korea’s founder, Kim Il Sung,” Klinger said. “But he has spent the last 30 years out of the country in diplomatic exile by serving as ambassador to numerous East European countries. He returned late last year.”

Finally, there is Choe Ryong Hae, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, the nominal head of state and a trusted senior official.

Even though he is not a member of the family, “it is rumored his son is married to Kim Jong Un’s sister,” Klinger said. •