Jerusalem Cafe Owner Vows to Keep Opening on Shabbat Despite Ultra-Orthodox Protests

Yoel Ben David, owner of the "Basemta" cafe in Jerusalem's Nahalat neighborhood, announced he will continue operating his business on weekends despite recent protests by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators. The protests, which took place on a Saturday, involved groups surrounding the cafe, banging on windows, and verbally harassing patrons. Ben David described the tense moments and expressed concern over the use of children by protesters to overturn tables and create disturbances.

Ben David attempted to engage with the protesters to calm the situation but found no willingness to dialogue. He feared the confrontation might escalate into violence, either from the protesters or from agitated customers. The protest caught him off guard, as there were no prior warnings or signs indicating such a reaction. He noted that while he has faced threats and intimidation before, the scale of this response was unexpected.

Despite the hostile demonstration, Ben David drew encouragement from the strong support he received from secular residents of Jerusalem. Within hours of the protest, dozens of local supporters arrived at the cafe to back the staff and business. He expressed gratitude for the community's solidarity and the many messages of encouragement he received throughout the day.

The cafe, which opened at the end of May near Agripas Street, became the focal point of the controversy over operating on Shabbat in a predominantly ultra-Orthodox area. Police arrived after most protesters had dispersed, and the situation has since calmed. Ben David remains committed to keeping the cafe open on weekends, underscoring the ongoing tensions between secular and religious communities in Jerusalem.