Avigdor Liberman Joins Supporters as Haredi Protesters Target Jerusalem Café for Fifth Week

Sabbath café protest erupts as Liberman visits

Dozens of haredi demonstrators protest outside Jerusalem café open on Sabbath during visit by Yisrael Beytenu leader MK Avigdor Liberman.

Police block Haredi protesters trying to storm Jerusalem cafe open on Shabbat

In the latest of consecutive protests against the Jerusalem Café Basimta operating on Shabbat, police forcefully fended off Haredi protesters who attempted to break in, as dozens of secular residents gathered to voice their support for the café

Avigdor Liberman joins supporters as haredi protesters target Jerusalem café for fifth week

Customers shouted “Enlist, enlist” as haredi protesters demonstrated outside the Jerusalem café for a fifth consecutive Saturday.

Liberman arrives at Jerusalem cafe open on Sabbath, protesters shout: 'Go back to Rus

Lieberman Sparks Shabbos Protest in Yerushalayim as Demonstrators Rally Outside Café

Dozens of Chareidi demonstrators gathered on Shabbos near a café on Agrippas Street in Yerushalayim to protest the establishment’s decision to remain open on Shabbos, while Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman was dining inside. During the demonstration, police said a female Border Police officer was assaulted, prompting security forces to intervene in an effort to restore order. According to police, officers from the Lev Habira station, Yassam units, and Border Police personnel responded to the protest. At one stage, several demonstrators attempted to enter the café, but officers prevented them from doing so, removed those involved, and remained at the scene to separate the sides and maintain public order until the protest concluded. Following the incident, Lieberman defended both his visit and the café’s decision to operate on Shabbos. “This morning I came to a café in downtown Jerusalem to support the owners and the people whose only ‘sin’ was sitting down to drink coffee on Shabbat morning,” he wrote. Lieberman went on to criticize what he described as attempts to impose Chareidi standards on the broader public. “The State of Israel is a Jewish state, but it will not be a haredi coercive state,” he added. He then launched a sharp attack on bnei yeshiva who do not serve in the military, accusing them of spending their time protesting rather than enlisting. “Those draft dodgers who show up week after week to shout, threaten, riot, and clash with soldiers and civilians need another place to let their energy out – against Hamas, against Hezbollah, and against the Houthis.” Lieberman concluded by pledging that if he has the authority to do so, those who avoid military service would be drafted rather than participating in demonstrations. “On my watch, draft dodgers won’t have time to protest outside cafés or attack soldiers because they’ll be too busy putting on uniforms.” https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/VIDEO-2026-08-01-22-22-36.mp4 {Matzav.com}