Ramat Gan’s Bandita Café Set Ablaze for Third Time Over Sabbath Opening

The Bandita café in Ramat Gan was set on fire for the third time in a short period during the early hours of Wednesday. The fire was reported around 2:43 a.m., prompting firefighters and police to respond. Surveillance footage showed masked individuals arriving at the café, igniting it, and fleeing within seconds. Authorities are investigating the incident, with a primary suspicion that the arson is linked to the café’s decision to operate on the Sabbath.

Ramat Gan Mayor Carmel Shama-Hacohen strongly condemned the attack, labeling it a hate crime and affirming the city’s commitment to its liberal policies. He stated that the municipality will not back down but instead plans to increase the number of businesses open on weekends. Shama-Hacohen promised full economic support to the café owner, including municipal purchases from the business to help it recover and grow. He emphasized that attempts to shut down the café would have the opposite effect, strengthening it and encouraging other weekend businesses.

The mayor described the repeated arson as an attack not only on a business but on the entire community, vowing to fight such acts until they cease. Police continue to gather evidence and search for the suspects, who remain at large. This latest attack raises concerns about the safety of business owners operating legally amid threats and violence. A similar arson occurred in early May, with comparable footage and investigation underway. Mayor Shama-Hacohen previously warned that attempts to impose religious restrictions in Ramat Gan would fail.