Coffee shop dispute in Jerusalem: unknown individuals glue door lock
The storm surrounding "Cafe Ba-Smita" in Jerusalem continues. Unknown individuals apparently inserted glue into the entrance door lock to prevent the business from opening this morning. Only after a 40-minute struggle were the owners able to open the door. This incident follows six consecutive weeks of stormy confrontations and Haredi protests against the cafe's Saturday operations.
The struggle surrounding the opening of businesses on Saturdays in Jerusalem escalated this morning. An unusual incident occurred today (Saturday) at "Cafe Ba-Smita," located near Agrippas Street, when unknown individuals sabotaged the entrance door in an attempt to prevent its operation.
Details indicate that glue was apparently inserted into the keyhole, causing the door to be completely blocked. Following this act of vandalism, those at the site had to manage a prolonged 40-minute struggle to release the mechanism before they finally managed to open the door.
The storm of "Shabbat struggles" in the capital
This incident does not occur in a vacuum. In the months since its establishment, "Cafe Ba-Smita" has become a focal point of religious and Shabbat-related tensions in the capital. In recent weekends, stormy confrontations have taken place as dozens of extremist Haredi protesters have attempted to close the establishment by force.
Previous demonstrations have included acts of violence, such as throwing eggs, hurling stones, and overturning tables. Conversely, hundreds of residents arrive every Saturday to protect the cafe and support the liberal business. Police have been forced to deploy reinforced units on a regular basis to separate the opposing sides.
