A Gaza Strip restaurant is offering mouth-watering discounts to any North Koreans who might be passing by in gratitude for Pyongyang condemning the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. But restaurateur Salim Rabaa is unlikely to have to honour his generous pledge.
“80% off for Korean customers in appreciation of the role of Korean leader Kim (Jong-un) in our Palestinian cause,” a sign on the Rabaa Restaurant in the Jabalia refugee camp reads.
There are currently no North Koreans in the besieged coastal Palestinian territory, nor do any Palestinian residents hold the citizenship, according to the Gaza interior ministry.
But Kim has won admirers for his vocal criticism of Israel and his jibes about the controversial American policy shift on Jerusalem. US President Donald Trump announced on December 6 he would recognise the disputed city as Israel’s capital and move his embassy there.
Kim responded by calling Trump a “dotard” and slamming his decision as a “reckless, wicked act”.
Rabaa said his idea had stirred debate on social media and elsewhere, while also attracting customers.
He said the “symbolic” discount offer was an expression of thanks “for Kim’s support of the Palestinian cause and his rejection of Trump’s decision”.
Salim Rabaa (right), the Palestinian owner of Rabaa restaurant and his son gesture with their right hands imitating a poster of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at the gate of the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza strip yesterday. The sign at the entrance of the restaurant reads in Arabic: u201cSpecial discounts reaching up to 80% for Korean patrons, in appraisal of the role of the Korean leader towards our Palestinian cause.u201d
