Jerusalem’s Basimta cafe considers closing on Shabbat amid protests
The management of Jerusalem’s Basimta cafe is considering closing every Saturday due to weekly protests by ultra-Orthodox activists against the venue operating on Shabbat. As The Jerusalem Post reports, citing N12 News, the actions have continued for more than six weeks, and management is assessing the psychological impact of the constant protests and the possibility of returning the cafe to its usual routine.
Barricades and damage
On August 22, protesters set up barricades around the cafe in an attempt to prevent visitors from entering the establishment. According to the publication, surveillance camera footage recorded these events.
Also in August, a 75-year-old man was detained after he, according to The Jerusalem Post, painted graffiti on the cafe, damaged its lock and threw rubbish at the establishment.
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The first action took place on July 4. At that time, ultra-Orthodox activists overturned tables near the cafe and knocked on its windows. The publication notes that the protests have been accompanied by violent actions from the beginning.
Reasons for the protests and counterprotests
The actions against Basimta began after reports that the establishment is an official project of the Jews for Jesus movement. The organization is part of the broader Messianic Jewish movement, recognizes what it considers the divinity of Jesus and at the same time states that it practices Judaism. In mainstream Judaism, this movement is considered controversial.
The protests involved Democrats party leader Yair Golan, the party’s director general Omer Lubaton Granot, and Knesset member Meirav Cohen. At the same time, secular Israelis held counterprotests in support of the cafe. At the beginning of August, Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman joined the establishment’s supporters.
