From the Liveblog of
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Jerusalem cafe targeted once again by Haredi protesters for operating on Shabbat
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
For the fourth consecutive week, ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrated outside Cafe Basimta in Jerusalem over its decision to remain open on Shabbat, Hebrew media reports.
Footage circulating online shows a crowd of Haredi men shouting outside the establishment.
Police reportedly cordoned off the area to keep demonstrators away from the premises. According to Channel 13, an unidentified individual was caught on camera early in the morning throwing a bag of feces at the cafe’s entrance.
Cafe Basimta, an official project of Jews for Jesus, has been facing repeated harassment from Haredi Orthodox protesters during its weekend hours.
Secular Israelis have flocked to the cafe in response to the protests, though some have eased their support in light of its ties to a Christian missionary organization.
The Times of Israel Community.