Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon wrote: "I support the market merchants and encourage them during these difficult times.
"For the past few weeks I've been working hard to open the Mahane Yehuda market and believe there is no reason for other areas to open and not the market. I submitted an organized plan to open the market and offered more than once that the Municipality will take responsibility in the market for adhering to Health Ministry guidelines.
"I hope the government approves opening the market as a source of livelihood for hundreds of Jerusalem families as soon as possible. I promise you, market traders and residents of Jerusalem, I won't let go until we reopen the market. Be strong. I love you."