"We came to bring joy, to be a place of entertainment. Maybe because of the elections, people allow themselves more"
The vandalism against businesses that open on Saturdays is no longer the sole domain of the capital, where Haredim rioted at the 'Hasimta' cafe. The owner of 'Bandita' in Ramat Gan, whose cafe was set…
Assessment
A wave of arson and vandalism targeting businesses open on Shabbat has spread beyond Jerusalem to cities like Ramat Gan and Herzliya, with owners describing exhaustion and reluctance to become symbols in a cultural war. The attacks appear to be intensifying during an election period, which one business owner suggests may be emboldening perpetrators. The pattern raises questions about whether law enforcement and local authorities can protect these businesses, or whether the growing intimidation will force more to close on Shabbat.