Dispute over cafe operation in Jerusalem embodies the schism within Israeli society

A Jerusalem cafe has become the epicenter of a growing rift within Israeli society, pitting secular Jews against the ultra-Orthodox community over the observance of the Sabbath.

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Shabbat!

For two months, the "Basemta" cafe, located near an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood, has seen daily protests. Ultra-Orthodox men and teenagers gather outside, chanting "Shabbat!" – the Hebrew word for the Jewish day of rest, which prohibits work and travel from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

In response, secular Israelis, some arriving from Tel Aviv, counter-protest with pink signs and blow whistles to drown out the chants. One sign reads, "Our sacred right to drink coffee." This clash symbolizes a deeper societal debate about religious freedom and the extent to which a minority can impose its practices on the majority.

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Our sacred right to drink coffee

Alma Ronen, who swapped her military uniform for jeans to visit the cafe, expressed frustration. "Everyone should be free to rest as they wish, and not be dictated to by a small, government-backed minority," she stated. Another secular Israeli, Amit Yair, called the ultra-Orthodox "parasites" who only want government money, fearing a theocracy.

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Everyone should be free to rest as they wish, and not be dictated to by a small, government-backed minority

Conversely, an ultra-Orthodox protester argued, "I don't want my children to see an open cafe when they leave the house on Saturdays." He emphasized that the issue touches upon his family's deeply held beliefs. The dispute also touches on sensitive issues like military service exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox, a long-standing grievance that has intensified amid Israel's ongoing conflicts and upcoming elections.

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parasites… all they want is government money