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Shabbat

Adir Schwartz talks with Jerusalem municipality inspectors as they shut down a temporary cafe set up by the Hitorerut movement in central Jerusalem after Cafe Basimta closed following weeks of protests by ultra-Orthodox extremists (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 5, 2026, 2:21 pm
Jerusalem municipality shuts down Shabbat coffee stand near cafe that caved to Haredi protests
Inspector tells volunteers from Hitorerut that they ‘received orders from higher up’ to close stall; head of liberal group: ‘Violence closed Cafe Basimta, but failed to close Jerusalem’
By ToI Staff
Protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the Basimta cafe in central Jerusalem, August 29, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
September 4, 2026, 5:56 pm
Activists set to open Shabbat coffee truck at site where Jerusalem cafe buckled to Haredi protests
Organizers vow to oppose religious coercion, say that the cart will be operated by volunteers next to the cafe so that ‘Jerusalemites can continue to drink coffee on Shabbat’
By ToI Staff
Haredi men protest outside the Basimta cafe for opening on Shabbat while secular counterprotesters stand in front of them, in Jerusalem on August 8, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
September 3, 2026, 7:05 pm
Jerusalem cafe targeted by Haredi protesters says it will no longer open on Shabbat
Owners of Cafe Basimta, an official project of Jews for Jesus, say months-long ‘friction’ is contrary to their faith; local politician calls decision a win for ‘terrorism’
By Zev Stub
Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against Cafe Basimta operating on Shabbat and clash with police, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, August 15, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
September 2, 2026, 6:15 pm
As weekly Haredi protests take a toll, Jerusalem cafe says it may close on Saturdays
Spokesperson for Cafe Basimta says business will make decision in coming days as some fear ultra-Orthodox rallies hounding the coffeehouse may escalate out of control
By Zev Stub
Dumpsters are placed on a road at the entrance to a neighborhood that has a significant secular population, in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, ahead of Shabbat on August 29, 2026. (Screenshots: X/Tuvya Yagelnik)
August 30, 2026, 6:19 am
Bnei Brak Municipality says it is behind blocking of neighborhood to traffic during Shabbat
Haredi city council claims most locals are interested in closure, accuses secular opponents of seeking ‘provocations,’ though police and local official say no formal decision passed
By ToI Staff
Screenshots of video showing a group of Haredim surrounding a police cruiser on a street that was blocked off to prevent motorists from driving there over Shabbat, August 28, 2026, in Bnei Brak. (Social media, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
August 29, 2026, 3:34 am
Haredim in Bnei Brak block cars from accessing secular neighborhood ahead of Sabbath
Volunteer cop reportedly removes dumpsters from the middle of the street, after local resident says she was told that the municipality was behind the barricades
By ToI Staff
Secular activists hold up placards as they stage a counter-protest against Haredi men at Cafe Basimta in Jerusalem, on August 15, 2026. The Hebrew sign reads "We will die rather than drink instant," a play on a slogan used by Haredi men against the IDF draft. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
August 15, 2026, 6:56 pm
Door to Jerusalem cafe open on Shabbat vandalized as Haredim protest for 7th week
Scheduled opening of Basimta delayed by some 40 minutes after masked perpetrator appears to glue its lock overnight; counter-protesters, secularist MKs show support for cafe
By ToI Staff
A Wizz Air flight at Ben Gurion International Airport. July 22, 2019 (Moshe Shai/FLASH90)
August 8, 2026, 9:50 am
Man worried about flying on Shabbat sparks security scare, delay, on flight to Tel Aviv
Passenger demands to exit Wizz Air aircraft just before takeoff from Rome without initially giving crew a reason; flight delayed for hours after all passengers made to redo security screening
By ToI Staff
Windows of the Herzliya Pasta Basta branch shown smashed on July 31, 2026. (Herzliya Mayor Yaron Fisher/Facebook)
July 31, 2026, 8:40 pm
Windows of Herzliya pasta franchise smashed, allegedly because it opens on Shabbat
City’s mayor decries ‘serious criminal act,’ backs business, vows to support shopping complex and ensure largely secular city remains ‘beacon of liberalism’
By Michael Horovitz
Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against a cafe operating on Shabbat in central Jerusalem, July 18, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 18, 2026, 6:21 pm
‘Stop destroying Jerusalem’: Haredim target cafe open on Shabbat for 3rd week in a row
Police erect barriers to prevent friction outside city center’s Cafe Basimta, a recently opened business that has drawn the ire of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators
By ToI Staff
An Arkia plane takes off from Ben Gurion Airport, outside Tel Aviv, August 14, 2025. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
July 8, 2026, 10:15 pm
Arkia employees vow to fight potential Haredi buyout that would halt Shabbat flights
Airline workers, who hold a 22% stake in company, threaten labor action and prepare further steps should talks with US real estate developer Rabbi Ezra Unger advance
By Sharon Wrobel
Haredi protesters pray and make noise outside Cafe Basimta, in Jerusalem, July 4, 2026. (X screenshot)
July 4, 2026, 11:52 pm
Ultra-Orthodox protesters disrupt Jerusalem cafe for opening on Shabbat
Haredi protesters, many of them minors, bang on windows, make noise at cafe located in city center; secular residents flock from across the city to support business after incident
By ToI Staff
People lining up in Otello in Rehovot on Shabbat in protest of the fine the business received for operating on Shabbat, on May 16, 2026. (Ynet/Screenshot)
May 17, 2026, 12:02 pm
Hundreds show up to support Rehovot businesses fined for opening on Shabbat
Ice cream parlor Otello and cafe Nook are cited after operating on Saturdays for over a year, leading residents to complain about uneven enforcement of Shabbat policy
By ToI Staff
US President Donald Trump prays at the first cabinet meeting of his second term at the White House, in Washington, DC, in February 26, 2025. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images/JTA)
May 15, 2026, 7:38 pm
Trump’s ‘Shabbat 250’ call divides US Jews ahead of National Mall prayer rally
Call marks first time a US president has urged marking of Shabbat; some Orthodox rabbis have embraced it, while those on Jewish left warn of blurring between religion and state
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Police clash with Israelis during a protest against the current Israeli government and the ongoing war with Iran, at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, April 4, 2026. (Flash90)
April 5, 2026, 2:22 am
Cops violently disperse protesters at Tel Aviv anti-war rally, after court raised attendance cap
Detained activists say police stopped them from reaching shelter amid missile attack; chief rabbi declares court ‘enemy of Judaism’ after permissive ruling is issued on Shabbat
By Charlie Summers and Sam Sokol
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