Fifth Consecutive Saturday: Clashes at "Ba-Smita" Cafe in Jerusalem

For the fifth consecutive Saturday, protests outside the "Ba-Smita" cafe near the Nachlaot neighborhood in Jerusalem continue. Violent clashes broke out at the scene between ultra-Orthodox protesters, police forces, and local residents who arrived to support the business.

Footage shows ultra-Orthodox individuals blocking customers from entering the cafe, while others shouted at patrons: "This is a Jewish state, you are assimilating."

Yoel Ben-David, the cafe owner, told N12:

"I am a bit sad today. I have nothing left to say besides that."

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party and member of the Knesset, arrived at the cafe in central Jerusalem and was met with shouting. He stated:

"It cannot be that drinking coffee on a Saturday morning becomes an act of civil heroism. The vandalism we see here only proves that these guys need to take their energy out against Hamas, against Hezbollah, against the Houthis, but not here in Jerusalem, against peaceful citizens."

Activists from The Democrats party also arrived at the scene and physically blocked the ultra-Orthodox protesters. These events add to a series of frictions in recent weeks, during which protesters have overturned tables and banged on windows. Following these incidents, Ben-David decided to file a police complaint.

"We are not the first cafe in Jerusalem and certainly not the last to experience such an event," Ben-David told N12. "I hope everyone will be able to drink coffee or pray in peace on Saturday without disturbing each other."

The repeated incidents have drawn dozens of local residents to support the business. "The support of the secular public in the city moves us; at one point, customers literally built a fence and stood between themselves and the entrance," said Ben-David. "It was mostly sad to see how the ultra-Orthodox adults who came to protest were sending the children. I tried to talk to them, but there was no one to talk to."

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion responded to the events last month:

"Jerusalem is a diverse city where members of all sectors and communities live together. Precisely for this reason, the responsibility lies with all of us to act with mutual respect and restraint. Violence of any kind is unacceptable under any circumstances. This is something that has no place in Jerusalem and we will not agree to accept it. We will continue to work to preserve the status quo, alongside maintaining the law, public order, and the delicate fabric that allows all residents of Jerusalem to live together in respect and security."