Jerusalem café’s Saturday opening delayed 40 minutes after glue poured on door lock

A Jerusalem café has become the centre of a contentious dispute over Shabbat operations after its opening was delayed by nearly three-quarters of an hour on Saturday morning. Café Bassmetta, which has been at the heart of the row in recent weeks, was unable to open at the usual time after a woman was filmed pouring adhesive into the entrance lock. The café’s owner has filed a complaint with police. A video of the incident was recorded and circulated. The obstruction marked the latest flashpoint in an ongoing dispute that has seen the café become a focal point for demonstrations, though Saturday’s protest numbers were reportedly lower than previous weeks. Shabbat opening hours for businesses remain a contentious issue in Israeli society, with religious and secular communities holding deeply differing views on commercial activity during the Jewish day of rest. The incident highlights the tensions that continue to simmer in Jerusalem’s diverse neighbourhoods, where such disputes regularly spill into confrontation. Police are investigating the incident, and the café eventually opened after the lock was cleared.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.