Ultra-Orthodox protesters harass Jerusalem cafe for opening on Shabbat

Ultra-Orthodox protesters harassed customers at a newly opened Jerusalem cafe for operating on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, on Saturday.

Dozens of Haredi demonstrators, many appearing to be minors, gathered outside Cafe Basimta on four separate occasions throughout the day, cafe staff told media outlets. Footage circulating online showed some banging on the window and yelling at customers.

The cafe’s owner, Yoel Ben David, told Hebrew media outlets that some protesters overturned tables.

“I tried talking to them. There aren’t speakers outside, and the business operates inside the alley. We aren’t disturbing anyone,” Ben David told Channel 12 news.

“I’m from Jerusalem, and I’m tired of not having enough places open on Shabbat. That’s why we decided to open,” he told the Haaretz daily. “I feel like it will happen again next week, and we will prepare for that.”

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Secular customers from around the city and local residents stopped by to drive the demonstrators away and support the cafe, which is located in the city center, where few other places open on Shabbat.

יושב עכשיו (שבת בבוקר) בקפה הירושלמי החדש "בסמטה".

פתאום דפיקות על החלונות. בחוץ המון חרדי שבא לאיים עלינו.

רגע שאהבתי: כשהחילונים גם התחילו לצעוק בחזרה "שבעס". וזה נכון: להם יש שבת דתית, לנו יש שבת חופשית.

כשנסגור להם את הברז, הם יבינו.

בינתיים, תבואו לחזק את "בסמטה". pic.twitter.com/3Ilf8jqpFb

— Ariel David אריאל דוד (@afdirohak) July 4, 2026

After news of the disruptions spread, footage showed the cafe packed with customers who had come out in support of the business and Ben David, with many uploading their visits to social media.

סערה בירושלים: בית קפה ״בסמטה״ שנפתח לפני כחודש הפך היום למוקד בזמן שעשרות חרדים הגיעו למקום ומחו על עצם פתיחתו במהלך השבת. בתגובה – תושבים חילונים מכל קצוות הבירה הגיעו לתמוך ולחזק.

מיכאל מבית הכרם: ״אנחנו מברכים ומחזקים את המקום – העברנו בקבוצה של השכונה ומשפחות רבות בדרך… pic.twitter.com/8KJtO2QOGk

— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) July 4, 2026

Nofar, who lives at least a 16-minute drive away in the Ein Kerem neighborhood, told Channel 12 news she came out especially to support the business.

“I saw a post on Facebook, and obviously, I came to support. We have been yelled at some, but this won’t deter us — we must protect this place, there are almost no options in Jerusalem [on Shabbat],” she said.

Raz, who lives down the road in the Rehavia neighborhood, said that he came to the cafe the moment he became aware of the incident via footage posted on Facebook.

“I know other places that are also being harassed, and it’s time to establish clear boundaries and not let people who make noise harm the secular public,” he told Channel 12.

“We will continue to come and vote with our feet,” he added.

Cafe Basimta addressed the incident and the outpouring of support in a video posted to Instagram, in which a group of people could be seen applauding from a balcony overlooking the cafe.

“The Cafe Basimta team wants to thank you for all the support, thank you to everyone who came today, and thank you to everyone who sent us love and support through their phones!” read the caption. “Your support is more important than you know.”

Enforcement of laws regarding work on Shabbat is an ongoing issue of contention in Israel, against the backdrop of broader disagreement over the relationship between religion and state. Municipal and national laws often differ, sometimes leading to conflict between city authorities and the national government, as well as local discord.

Businesses across the country are occasionally vandalized by Haredi extremists who oppose their operating hours on Shabbat.