{
  "id": 5450869,
  "title": "'Result of haredi terror': Jerusalem's Basimta Cafe to close on Shabbat after weeks of protests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/result-of-haredi-terror-jerusalems-basimta-cafe-to-close-on-shabbat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T00:38:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-907559"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Basimta Cafe in Jerusalem has announced that it will be closing its doors on Saturdays due to ongoing protests from the haredi community. The establishment has become a focal point of conflict over its decision to operate during the Shabbat, leading to weeks of demonstrations and threats. The cafe's management expressed their disappointment, stating that the decision was made with a heavy heart and that they are committed to promoting values of love, respect, and inclusivity. CEO Eli Birnbaum emphasized that the cafe's closure is a painful decision that stems from their deep responsibility toward their customers, their faith, and Israeli society. The Democratic Party chair Yair Golan condemned the cafe's decision as a result of haredi terrorism, while Yisrael Beytenu leader MK Avigdor Liberman echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the State of Israel should not be turned into a State of Halacha.",
  "summary": "“Now we are asking to return Basimta Cafe to what it was intended to be: a calm, pleasant and open place for coffee, culture and dialogue,” said the CEO of Jews for Jesus, Eli Birnbaum.",
  "key_points": [
    "Basimta Cafe to close on Saturdays due to haredi protests",
    "Cafe's management expresses disappointment over Shabbat decision",
    "Closure condemned as haredi terrorism by political leaders"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The cafe's shutdown shows haredi protests can force business policy changes, prompting criticism that such pressure amounts to haredi terrorism, with politicians condemning the influence of religious coercion.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}