Jerusalem Cafe Closes on Saturdays Amid Harassment and Vandalism

Cafe "Basemta" in Jerusalem will no longer open on Saturdays after two months of intense protests and vandalism by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators. The cafe, managed by the Messianic Jewish organization "Jews for Jesus," became a focal point for clashes between protesters demanding it close on Shabbat and supporters of a liberal, open city.

The protests escalated in recent days, with security footage capturing acts of vandalism including the dumping of feces at the entrance, glue being placed in the locks, and physical barriers erected to block customers. The cafe's management announced the decision to cease Saturday operations, stating, "Our identity does not allow us to continue to be a focal point for friction and hatred. We wish to act with respect, dialogue, and love for the other, even towards those who oppose our faith."

Eli Birnbaum, CEO of "Jews for Jesus," described the decision as "difficult and painful," stemming from a "deep responsibility to our customers, our faith, and Israeli society as a whole." He added that the cafe had become a "focal point of friction and danger, a reality contrary to our identity."

The closure drew sharp criticism from political figures. Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz condemned the violence, stating, "Violence won. After weeks of threats, intimidation, and violence, Cafe Basemta was forced to close because of a group of extremists and lawbreakers. This is a dangerous precedent for a city that must again contend with religious wars that do not characterize most of its residents." Schwartz indicated that his party is exploring ways to operate the cafe independently on Saturdays.

Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity party, also commented, calling the closure "a victory for the extremists and a loss for the moderate majority in Israel." He criticized the political climate, arguing that extremists repeatedly seek to overpower the other side, thereby "losing the country and harming Judaism."