Haredi Protest Erupts Over New Jerusalem Cafe Open on Shabbat

The recently opened cafe "Basemta" in central Jerusalem became the focus of a protest by dozens of Haredi residents opposing its operation on Shabbat. The cafe, located on Agripas Street, opened about a month ago and faced four waves of demonstrations on a Saturday, according to Lior, the shift manager. Protesters shouted and one even overturned a table, attempting to deter customers throughout the day. As videos of the protests circulated on social media, many local residents arrived to show support for the cafe. Owner Yoel Ben David stated he tried to engage with the protesters and emphasized that the business does not disturb the neighborhood, noting there are no outdoor speakers and the cafe is situated in an alleyway. He insisted, "We are not bothering anyone."