Ultra-Orthodox Protest Jerusalem Cafe Open on Shabbat Amid Secular Support

For the third consecutive Saturday, ultra-Orthodox protesters gathered outside the Jerusalem cafe "Basemta," which remains open on Shabbat, shouting slogans such as "Stop destroying Jerusalem." The cafe, located on Agripas Street near King George Street in central Jerusalem, is situated in a predominantly secular area with few businesses open on Shabbat. Dozens of secular supporters also arrived to back the cafe owners. Police forces were present to separate the two groups and prevent clashes, erecting barriers in the alley where the cafe is located.

Tensions have escalated over the past weeks, with previous protests leading to confrontations between ultra-Orthodox demonstrators and secular patrons. Videos from earlier protests showed ultra-Orthodox protesters shouting "Shabas" at customers, who responded with calls like "Enlist." Police intervened to disperse the ultra-Orthodox protesters, sometimes using force, and even clashed with some cafe customers. One supporter was reportedly thrown onto stairs during the altercation.

Adir Schwartz, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and chairman of the "Hitorerut" movement, visited the site with activists, condemning the extremist attempts to intimidate the business owners and Jerusalem residents for choosing to operate on Shabbat. He emphasized the movement's commitment to supporting local businesses and maintaining a free Jerusalem for all.

The cafe owner, Yoel Ben David, who opened the establishment about six weeks ago, expressed sadness over the protests, especially seeing children involved in the disturbances. He noted that the cafe is located inside an alley, not on a main street, and most seating is indoors, so it does not disturb the neighborhood. He also highlighted the strong support from secular residents, some of whom built a human barrier to protect the cafe entrance.

Among the supporters was Raz, a young man from Rehavia, who came after seeing social media posts about the protests. He criticized the use of children to disrupt the cafe and called for clear boundaries to protect secular residents' rights. He pledged continued support by frequenting such businesses and opposing harassment.

The ongoing protests reflect the deep divisions in Jerusalem over Shabbat observance and the city's cultural character, with the "Basemta" cafe becoming a focal point for this conflict.