The management of Cafe Basimta, which is run by Jews for Jesus, announced on Thursday that starting this week, the establishment will cease operating on Saturdays.
The decision follows two months of weekly clashes with haredi protesters who were outraged by the Jerusalem business being open on Shabbat and its association with Christian missionaries.
"The decision was made after prolonged deliberation and with a heavy heart, out of a desire to prevent and calm the flames and restore peace to the cafe," the management said.
Democrats Party chairman Yair Golan responded to the decision, saying it is "the result of haredi terrorism. Cafe Basimta sought to do something simple: open on Shabbat in Jerusalem. It did not force anyone to violate Shabbat or change anyone’s way of life. It merely allowed those who chose to do so to drink coffee on Shabbat in their own city.
“For weeks, the cafe was subjected to terror, violence, demonstrations, and threats, until it gave in and decided to close. This is what coercion looks like. If we do not stop it, it will spread to the next cafe."