Jerusalem, 2 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The management of Café BaSimta on Agripas Street in Jerusalem is considering whether to stop operating on Shabbat or close the café entirely, following six weeks of violent confrontations with ultra-Orthodox protesters.
Members of the Jews for Jesus organization, which operates the café, will meet this week to discuss its future, CEO Eli Birnbaum said.
The café opened in an area where most businesses close on Shabbat. Its decision to remain open resulted in more than six weeks of ultra-Orthodox protests.
The demonstrations have turned violent, with protesters allegedly damaging property, overturning tables, trying to break into the café, putting glue in its locks, and throwing eggs, stones, and even feces.
Birnbaum said he does not want the café to become a source of division in Jerusalem or operate in a way that conflicts with his organization’s principles.