Ayman's Jerusalem Juice Bar 2024

Ayman Qaisi runs a hole-in-the-wall juice bar in Jerusalem's Old City. His place is tiny, less than 5 metres square, located on the Via Dolorosa, the traditional route where Jesus carried the cross.

I am Matthew Teller, a writer from the UK. I visit Jerusalem a lot, and I have known Ayman since 2018. I often stay near his juice bar, and we have talked a lot. He's a lovely guy, incredibly hard-working, and devoted to his family - he and his wife live in an old stone house on the same street, just a few doors along from his juice bar. They have four young kids.

In 2022 I helped Ayman by raising 4,000 US dollars through GoFundMe, to help him pay a tax bill imposed by Jerusalem's Israeli-run municipality, even though his business had been closed for 2 years because of COVID.

That meant he could get back on his feet and keep his business running. But since October 7th 2023, his income has been cut to zero again. Israeli security forces have restricted the entry of non-residents to Jerusalem's Old City. Nobody is visiting or passing through. Non-essential businesses are closed. Tourists are staying away.

Ayman called me the other day, and said this is the hardest time he has known, even including COVID lockdowns. Israeli surveillance of Palestinian individuals and businesses is intense. He can't see a future for his juice business, but he can't pivot to something else with all these restrictions in place. Israel is targeting the Palestinian people, in all sorts of ways. He asked me if there was anything I could do to help him. Maybe I could write a story about his situation, he said.

This is that story. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for Ayman to swallow his pride and ask for help. But he did it, and I think it's important to respond.

Please give whatever you can to help Ayman and his family pull through. I will convert any donations received and make sure that Ayman receives the money in cash.

All of this is being done with Ayman's permission and approval. Thank you, on his behalf.