Every weekend for the past six weeks, those who disapprove of the café being open on Shabbat have protested at the location, while supporters of the business held counterprotests.Follow us on GoogleUltra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against a cafe operating on Shabbat and clash with Israeli police, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, August 8, 2026. (photo credit: OREN BEN HAKOON/FLASH90)ByMAARIV ONLINEAUGUST 8, 2026 13:49Dozens of police officers were deployed as, for the sixth consecutive Saturday, haredi (ultra-Orthodox) demonstrators gathered to protest Jerusalem’s Basimta Cafe.In recent weeks, the cafe has become a focal point of a struggle surrounding the operation of businesses on Shabbat in Jerusalem.Every weekend for the past six weeks, those who disapprove of the café being open on Shabbat have protested at the location, while supporters of the business held counterprotests, seeking to support the business owners and support its continued operation.Politicians show support for Batisma Cafe counterprotestDuring this Saturday’s protest, Democrats Party chairman Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yair Golan, Democrats Party CEO Omer Lubaton-Granot, and MK Meirav Cohen joined the counterprotest.Cohen, in a post on X/Twitter, addressed the ongoing struggle surrounding the café and discussed having met with the owner.“When he opened the place on Shabbat, emissaries came to him and offered him money so that he would close,” Cohen wrote about Yoel Ben David, the owner of Basimta Cafe. “He said no thank you, and from that moment he has been subjected to demonstrations outside his café every Shabbat.”“We came to strengthen him and thank him for his steadfastness in the name of the values of freedom and liberalism,” she continued. “Jerusalem belongs to everyone, Israel belongs to everyone, and besides that, the coffee is really good.”According to a report from i24NEWS regarding last week’s protest, Haredi protestors banged on the cafe’s windows. Cafe patrons reportedly shouted “enlist, enlist” at the protesters.Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman attended last week’s protest in support of the cafe.Cafe owner hopes for harmony between religious, secular communitiesIn a conversation with Maariv, the café’s owner stated that his attitude towards the protests is simple. “I love and respect the religious community and absolutely do not hate Haredim. I want them to be able to pray in peace, for us to be able to drink our coffee in peace, and for all of us to be able to live here together in harmony,” Ben David told Maariv. “If this can happen in Tel Aviv or Haifa, then why not in Jerusalem?”Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against a cafe operating on Shabbat and clash with Israeli police, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, August 8, 2026. (credit: OREN BEN HAKOON/FLASH90)When asked how he feels about being at the heart of public controversy, Ben David stated that, while he sometimes feels exhausted, he overall is doing well.“I’m very encouraged by all the support we’re receiving,” he continued. “This support, and all the people who want to make sure that our right to open on Shabbat is preserved – it’s simply moving and warms the heart.”Ben David also described receiving support from the religious community as well.“Throughout the week, many religious people have come here to show their support, and one of them even approached me and apologized on behalf of the Haredi community,” he recounted. “They are joined, of course, by the entire secular-liberal community in the city, which is fighting for our right to run the business as we see fit, without pressure and without anxiety.”Follow us on Google