Yair Golan Blames Haredi 'Terror' for Jerusalem Cafe's Shabbat Closure

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, has condemned the closure of the "Basemta" cafe in Jerusalem on Saturdays, attributing it to "Haredi terror." The cafe had sought to operate on Shabbat, not to compel anyone to violate the Sabbath or alter their lifestyle, but simply to allow those who choose to do so to enjoy coffee in their city.

According to Golan, the cafe faced weeks of "terror, violence, demonstrations, and threats" from the Haredi community, which ultimately led to its decision to close on Saturdays. He described this as an act of coercion and warned that if such actions are not stopped, they will continue to affect other businesses.

Golan's statement highlights a growing tension in Jerusalem over the observance of Shabbat and the extent to which secular businesses can operate on the Jewish day of rest amidst pressure from the ultra-Orthodox community.