Why a café in central Jerusalem became a battleground over Shabbat

Ultra-Orthodox protesters in Jerusalem besieged the 'Ba-Simta' café for the third time, protesting its operation on Shabbat. Organizers claim the café violates the law and that the owner is a missionary. The owner denies the allegations. Deputy Mayor and Liberman supported the protesters and the café, respectively.

In Jerusalem, the 'Ba-Simta' café has become the target of a siege by ultra-Orthodox protesters for the third time, who are unhappy with its operation on Saturday. The protests, held on August 1, attracted public and media attention. Organizers, speaking anonymously, claim that the café violates the law by operating without a license and that its owner is a Christian missionary. The café's owner, Yoel Ben-David, denies the allegations, explaining that the operating company belongs to the 'Jews for Jesus' movement, but the establishment itself is not a house of worship. Some moderate Orthodox figures support the protests, including Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Tsachi Brima. Yisrael Beiteinu party chairman Avigdor Liberman came to express support for the café. The conflict reflects tensions between secular and religious residents of the city.