Jerusalem Court Bars Woman Suspected of Vandalizing Cafe Amid Ongoing Protests

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court ordered the removal of a woman suspected of damaging the entrance lock of "Cafe Basemta" in central Jerusalem. The incident occurred last Saturday, hours before renewed clashes erupted over the cafe's opening on the Sabbath. Employees found the cafe's entrance lock glued shut, preventing them from opening the door and delaying the cafe's opening. Security footage showed a woman in a dress applying glue to the lock during the night.

The woman was arrested by Jerusalem district police on suspicion of involvement in vandalism, including graffiti spraying, littering, and damaging the cafe's lock. Following a police request, the court extended her restrictive release conditions, including barring her from entering the cafe.

In recent weeks, dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters have demonstrated against the cafe's Sabbath opening, clashing with secular demonstrators advocating for "freedom from religion." These protests have continued for seven consecutive weekends, with the cafe becoming a focal point of tension and suffering damage amid the confrontations.