Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Clash With Police Over Jerusalem Cafe Operating on Shabbat

Tensions over Shabbat observance in Jerusalem escalated for the sixth consecutive weekend as dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters gathered outside a cafe on Agripas Street that operates on the Jewish day of rest. The demonstrators attempted to forcibly enter the cafe, throwing water and eggs from balconies, but were repelled by police who intervened to separate them from cafe patrons and supporters, including Democratic Party leader Yair Golan and Knesset member Merav Cohen from Yesh Atid. After nearly two hours of confrontation, the protesters dispersed.

Last week, Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Israel Beiteinu party, publicly supported the cafe's decision to open on Shabbat, emphasizing his belief in "live and let live" and rejecting the notion of Israel as a "Haredi coercion state." He criticized the protesters for wasting energy on such demonstrations instead of focusing on national security threats, stating that under his watch, those avoiding military service would be occupied with enlistment rather than protests.

The protests began two weeks ago following the cafe's Shabbat opening, with police deploying significant forces to contain demonstrators in nearby streets. Additionally, a few hours before one protest, an unidentified individual was caught on security cameras throwing a bag of feces at the cafe's entrance.

These ongoing clashes highlight the deep societal divisions in Jerusalem over religious observance and public life on Shabbat, with political figures taking clear stances amid escalating street-level tensions.