Also this week: Haredim confront customers of the "Basmeta" café

Also today (Saturday), Haredim arrived to confront customers at the "Basmeta" café in Jerusalem, an event that has become routine in recent weeks. This morning they tried to set up barriers at the entrance, and customers were greeted with shouts of "Shabbos." Last week, police arrested a woman who smeared glue on the lock, and the court banned her for six months. Previously, Haredi protesters came to force closure, facing a human wall of secular and liberal individuals.

Also today (Saturday, August 22, 2026), Haredim arrived to confront customers at the "Basmeta" café in Jerusalem, an event that has become routine in recent weeks. The café, located on Agrippas Street in the Nahlaot neighborhood, has long suffered from harassment and vandalism by Haredim protesting its operation on Shabbat. This morning, Haredim tried to set up barriers at the entrance to the business, and customers were greeted with shouts of "Shabbos" and protests. Last week, police arrested a woman about 75 years old who smeared glue on the lock, causing a 40-minute delay in opening the café. The court banned her from the café for six months. A week earlier, Haredi protesters arrived at the site aiming to force its closure, facing hundreds of secular residents and liberal activists who formed a human wall. Large police forces prevented Haredim from entering the compound. On Thursday of that same week, police arrested a teenager who threw feces at the café.