Haredi protesters rally outside Jerusalem cafe open on Shabbat

Hundreds of Jerusalem residents gathered in support of Cafe Basimta as police removed two protesters near the entrance.

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators assembled outside Cafe Basimta in Jerusalem's Nahlaot neighborhood on Saturday to object to the business operating during Shabbat.

The group chanted Shabbos but encountered hundreds of local residents who arrived throughout the morning to back the cafe. Police escorted away two haredi protesters positioned near the entrance.

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz, who leads the Hitorerut movement, arrived with activists from the group.

Once again this Shabbat extremists arrived at Cafe Basimta seeking to pressure the owners and Jerusalem residents simply because they chose to keep the cafe open on Shabbat, said Schwartz. Hitorerut activists remained at the location throughout Shabbat, stood with the owners, and showed that a small number of radicals would not dictate how Jerusalem residents live their lives.

We will continue to be present, support local businesses, and maintain a free Jerusalem that belongs to everyone, Schwartz added.

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 possible further unrest ahead of Saturday's protest. Hitorerut activists planned to stay at the cafe from opening until closing to help prevent additional disturbances.

Posters call on haredim to protest cafe

Posters distributed in haredi neighborhoods urged 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.