Shabbat protests outside Jerusalem cafe show no sign of abating
JERUSALEM – By mid-morning on Saturday, the alleys surrounding Cafe Basimta were filled with haredi Orthodox demonstrators protesting the cafe’s decision to open on Shabbat. It was the sixth consecutive Shabbat that the small cafe…
Assessment
A single cafe in Jerusalem has become a sustained flashpoint for Shabbat observance protests, drawing haredi Orthodox demonstrators for six consecutive weeks. The police presence has escalated after barricades were breached, yet the cafe remains open. The contrast with nearly 100 other Shabbat-open establishments in the city suggests this is not a general backlash but a targeted campaign. The question is whether the protests will force the cafe to close or normalize demonstrations at other venues.