Jerusalem cafe becomes flashpoint over Shabbat opening

A central Jerusalem cafe that opens on Shabbat has become a weekly flashpoint between ultra-Orthodox protesters and secular Israelis, exposing wider tensions over religion, military service and politics before Israel's October 27 elections.

Since June, ultra-Orthodox protesters have gathered near Cafe Basimta, close to an ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood, objecting to business activity on the Jewish day of rest. Secular counter-protesters have responded with whistles, signs and support for customers who say Israelis should decide for themselves how to observe Shabbat.

Alma Ronen, a 20-year-old Israeli soldier who said she has fought in Gaza and southern Lebanon, said she resented that only some Israelis serve in the military. The issue is especially sensitive because ultra-Orthodox Jews receive stipends for religious study and, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's support, are exempt from military service while Israel's forces remain stretched after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

One Orthodox protester said he had chosen to live in a religious area and did not want his children to see a cafe open on Shabbat, calling it an attack on his family's faith. Ultra-Orthodox protesters approached at the demonstration declined to speak to journalists, saying that doing so would violate Shabbat.

Shlomit Ravitsky Tur Paz, who heads the religion and state programme at the Israel Democracy Institute, said Israeli society has become more secular in some ways, with more businesses and local public transport operating on Shabbat and greater acceptance of LGBTQ rights. She also said religious Jews are becoming a larger share of the population demographically.

Netanyahu's election challengers, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, have made the military draft a central issue and have vowed to end exemptions from service. The cafe dispute is set to continue, with protesters planning to return the following Saturday.