Full Breakdown
Clashes Over Basimta Café’s Shabbat Opening in Jerusalem
8/2/2026, 6:36:57 AM
Core Event
For the fifth consecutive Saturday, dozens of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gathered outside Basimta café on Agrippas Street, demanding that the establishment close on Shabbat. Demonstrators attempted to breach police-set barricades and force entry, prompting a physical confrontation with secular patrons who formed a human barrier. Police eventually intervened with batons to disperse the crowd. The episode marked the largest Haredi picket since the protests began over a month ago.
Background & Context
Basimta opened in the spring of 2025 and is one of the few Jerusalem cafés that operates on the Jewish day of rest. Its decision to remain open has become a flashpoint in the broader cultural dispute over the city’s public-space character, pitting secular and liberal residents against segments of the Haredi community that view Shabbat observance as a communal norm.
Data & Statistics
- The protest on this Saturday was the fifth straight week of demonstrations.
- The demonstration attracted the largest turnout of Haredi picketers since the protests began.
- According to the Israel Defense Forces, approximately 72,000 ultra-Orthodox men aged 18-24 are currently eligible for military service but have largely avoided conscription.
Official Statements & Responses
Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the right-wing Yisrael Beytenu party, arrived at the scene to back the café owners. He called for mutual peace, saying both groups should be able to “pray in peace” and “drink our coffee in peace.”
Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, condemned the police response, accusing officers of “abandoning the liberal public” and failing to prevent violence in advance.
Criticism & Opposition
Yair Golan’s criticism of law-enforcement highlights concerns that police have not adequately protected civilians during the protests. He asserted that authorities allowed “extremist” demonstrators to “run wild,” suggesting a need for stricter enforcement of public-order laws.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I believe above all in the principle of live and let live. Drinking coffee on a Saturday morning cannot become an act of civic courage,” — Avigdor Liberman, yisrael beytenu chairman
- “I love and respect the religious community and absolutely do not hate haredim,” — Ben David, café manager
- “This morning I came to a café in downtown Jerusalem to support the owners and the people whose only 'sin' was sitting down to drink coffee on Shabbat morning,” — Avigdor Liberman, yisrael beytenu chairman
- “The vandalism we’re seeing behind me — all of this just proves that these guys need to channel their energy against Hamas, against Hezbollah, against the Houthis, but not here in Jerusalem, against peaceful citizens.” — Israel Defense Forces
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Accounts differ on the precise moment police began using force. The timeline of police escalation therefore remains unclear. Additionally, while the café’s owners deny any political agenda, later reporting noted that Basimta is linked to the Christian missionary group Jews for Jesus, a detail that has affected some secular supporters’ willingness to back the establishment.
What’s Next
No specific future actions were announced in the sources. The pattern of weekly protests suggests that further demonstrations are likely unless a resolution is reached between the café’s management and the Haredi community.
