Hundreds of Jerusalem residents gathered in support of Cafe Basimta as police removed two protesters near the entrance.Follow us on GoogleUltra-Orthodox protesters outside of the Basimta cafe on Saturday, July 4, 2026.(photo credit: Screenshot/X/@afdirohak)ByEFRAT FORSHERJULY 11, 2026 16:39Dozens of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gathered outside Cafe Basimta in Jerusalem’s Nahlaot neighborhood on Saturday to protest the business’s opening on Shabbat.The protesters chanted “Shabbos” but were met by hundreds of Jerusalem residents who arrived throughout the morning to support the cafe. Police removed two haredi protesters who sat near the entrance.Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz, who chairs the Hitorerut movement, arrived at the scene with movement activists.“Once again this Shabbat, extremists came to Cafe Basimta in an attempt to intimidate the business owners and the Jerusalem public, simply because they chose to open the cafe on Shabbat," said Schwartz. "Hitorerut activists were at the site throughout Shabbat, stood alongside the business owners, and made it clear that a small group of extremists would not be allowed to dictate to Jerusalem residents how to live."We will continue to be there, support local businesses, and preserve a free Jerusalem that belongs to everyone,” Schwartz added.Deputy Mayor Adir Schwarz attends the signing of a housing framework agreement at Jerusalem City Hall in Jerusalem, December 15, 2025. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)The demonstration followed unrest at the cafe the previous week, when hundreds of haredi protesters surrounded the venue, overturned chairs, banged on the windows, and spat at patrons.Jerusalem authorities prepared for the possibility of further unrest ahead of Saturday’s protest. Hitorerut activists planned to remain at the cafe from opening until closing to help prevent additional disturbances.Posters call on haredim to protest cafePosters distributed in haredi neighborhoods called on residents to march to the cafe on Shabbat and protest its opening.Police gathered intelligence in the days leading up to the demonstration, held discussions with all sides, and prepared for the possibility of an escalation.Follow us on Google