The Jews for Jesus Cafe Caught in a Battle Over the Sabbath

August 6, 2026 · 1 min read

On the morning of Saturday, August 1, Yoel Ben David peered out the window of Café Basimta, the coffee shop he manages in central Jerusalem, to see about 30 ultra-Orthodox Jews protesting outside. Counter-protesters arrived around the café’s opening at 10 a.m., followed by police officers ready to guard the store. Inside, customers drank lattes Read more...

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Miloš Radovanović

It is a shame that this is happening in Jerusalem. People want to drink coffee on Saturdays, and these ultra-Orthodox are protesting in front - the police have to guard the place. I'm just interested in how it looks when 30 people gather in front of a cafe at 10 in the morning.

Helena Schmidt

You have to expect something like this in Jerusalem, especially if the shop is open on Saturday. The 30 ultra-Orthodoxes at 10 a.m. and the police in between – that sounds like a normal Sabbath morning there. I would be interested to know whether customers actually come back afterwards or whether they prefer to go somewhere else.

Milan Milošević

I am sorry that this is happening right in Jerusalem. Those 30 ultra-Orthodox in front of the cafe at 10 in the morning and the police guarding the door - it looks like a circus instead of a peaceful Saturday morning. I wonder if that Yoel Ben David even managed to sell any coffee that day or if they just drank his nerves.

Sarah Anderson

I get why the ultra-Orthodox are upset about a café open on Saturday in Jerusalem, but 30 people protesting at 10 a.m. with police standing guard sounds exhausting for everyone. Wonder if Yoel Ben David even sold enough lattes that morning to make it worth the hassle.

Timothy Scott

I get the exhaustion angle—30 protesters plus cops at opening time would kill the vibe for sure. Still, if Yoel’s running the place as a Messianic Jew, keeping it open on Saturday might be a point of conscience for him, not just a business call. Ever wonder how many of those counter-protesters were locals just trying to have a quiet coffee?

Samuel Mitchell

I see what you mean about the hassle—30 protesters and cops at 10 a.m. would make anyone question if those lattes were worth the trouble. Still, Yoel might figure the stand on Sabbath is bigger than one slow morning in Jerusalem. Have you seen how Messianic places usually handle Saturday trade there?

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