Hapoel Jerusalem Football Club Sponsors Controversial Cafe Supporting Business Freedom on Shabbat

Hapoel Jerusalem Football Club has taken a unique step by partnering with the cafe "Cafe Basemta," which has recently become a symbol of the public struggle in Jerusalem for businesses to operate according to their own choices, including on Shabbat. The club announced that the cafe's logo will appear on the players' shorts for the 2026/27 season, with no payment required from the cafe. This sponsorship is a gesture of support for the cafe's fight for the right to operate freely throughout the week.

The club stated, "After the new cafe 'Basemta' became a symbol of the fight for the right of businesses in Jerusalem to operate as they choose, we decided to support them. Hapoel has always been more than a football team, it is part of Jerusalem's fabric, believing in an open and diverse city where there is room for everyone." Unlike other sponsors, the club did not demand any financial compensation, only that the cafe continue its fight for a free Jerusalem and focus on making good coffee every day of the week.

This sponsorship coincides with Hapoel Jerusalem's 100th anniversary celebration, held at the Armon Hanatziv promenade. The club's decision to back Cafe Basemta highlights its commitment to supporting local businesses advocating for freedom to operate on Shabbat, a contentious issue in Jerusalem's public discourse in recent weeks.