Second Shabbat Brings New Clashes at Jerusalem Cafe Basimta
Published
Haredi demonstrators returned to Cafe Basimta on Agripas Street in Jerusalem on July 11, the second Shabbat in a row, to protest the recently opened cafe's decision to operate on Shabbat. Supporters of the business, including local residents and Hitorerut activists, gathered outside as the sides exchanged chants, with protesters shouting "Shabbos" and cafe patrons answering "enlist." Police were deployed from the morning, intervened to reduce friction and moved protesters who sat near the entrance. Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz said activists stood by the business and opposed intimidation over its Shabbat opening, after last week's incident led the owner to file a police complaint.
Sources
Difference in reporting
Sources factually differ on the size of the pro-cafe crowd: Walla reports that hundreds came to stand opposite the protest; N12 reports that dozens arrived to support the business and later says more residents came; Channel 13 describes many residents and a long line; Haaretz describes secular Israelis but gives no count. The remaining facts are uniform: Haredi demonstrators returned to Cafe Basimta in central Jerusalem on July 11 for a second Shabbat protest over its Shabbat opening, and confrontations developed with secular Israelis or patrons. No other factual disagreements.
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