Haredi protesters block Jerusalem cafe amid ongoing months-long dispute over Shabbat opening

For the eighth consecutive week, Haredi protesters have targeted Jerusalem's Basimta Cafe, demonstrating against its decision to open on the Jewish Sabbath. Security footage revealed protesters erecting barricades outside the cafe on Saturday morning, continuing a months-long dispute that has involved vandalism and confrontations.

“

When he opened the place on Shabbat, emissaries came to him and offered him money so that he would close. He said 'no thank you,' and from that moment he has been subjected to demonstrations outside his café every Shabbat.

Earlier in the week, police arrested a 75-year-old suspect for allegedly spray-painting graffiti on the cafe, throwing garbage, and damaging its lock. The protests initially began on July 4, with demonstrators surrounding the building, banging on windows, and overturning tables. The cafe was later revealed to be an official project of Jews for Jesus, a group whose beliefs are not recognized by mainstream Jewish denominations.

“

We came to strengthen him and thank him for his steadfastness in the name of the values of freedom and liberalism. Jerusalem belongs to everyone, Israel belongs to everyone, and besides that, the coffee is really good.

In response to the ongoing protests, several politicians have participated in counterdemonstrations to support the cafe owner, Yoel Ben David. Yair Golan, Omer Lubaton Granot, and MK Meirav Cohen visited the cafe, with Cohen highlighting that the owner had been offered money to close on Shabbat but refused. Cohen emphasized the importance of freedom and liberalism, stating, "Jerusalem belongs to everyone, Israel belongs to everyone, and besides that, the coffee is really good."

“

I believe above all in the principle of live and let live. Drinking coffee on a Saturday morning cannot become an act of civic courage.

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beytenu, also joined supporters of the cafe earlier this month. He condemned the protesters, advocating for a "live and let live" principle and suggesting that Haredi men should enlist in the military. Liberman argued that drinking coffee on a Saturday should not require "civic courage" and that the protesters' energy should be directed towards groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, rather than against peaceful citizens in Jerusalem.

“

The vandalism we see behind me only proves that these guys need to direct their energy against Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, but not here in Jerusalem against peaceful citizens.