Clashes Erupt Again Between Haredi Protesters and Café Patrons in Jerusalem

For the second consecutive Saturday, tensions flared between Haredi protesters and patrons at the "Basemta" café in central Jerusalem. The café, located on Agripas Street near King George Street, opened about a month ago and has become a focal point of controversy due to its operation on the Sabbath.

On July 11, dozens of Haredi demonstrators gathered to protest the café's weekend opening, shouting "Shabas" at the seated customers, who responded with calls of "Enlist". Police were deployed early in the morning to secure the area and forcibly removed some protesters, leading to confrontations including one incident where a café supporter was thrown down stairs.

The previous week saw similar protests, which drew growing support from local residents, including Nofar from the Ein Kerem neighborhood, who said she came after seeing a Facebook post and emphasized the importance of preserving such venues in Jerusalem, where few options exist for weekend leisure. The clashes highlight ongoing cultural and religious tensions in a predominantly secular area with limited businesses open on the Sabbath.