[1] From the early years of the State of Israel, this intersection became a site of friction between religious and secular Jews over issues of Sabbath observance.
Due to its central location, the intersection is also a gathering place for community and holiday events, such as the second hakafah (ritual circling) held on the night after Simhat Torah.
The Shabbat demonstrations at the intersection were often started by members of Neturei Karta, who opposed Zionism and rejected the authority of the secularist state.
The Tnuva dairy factory, located near the intersection, received shipments of milk from settlements near Jerusalem on Shabbat as well as weekdays.
On August 12, 1950, three trucks of youth from Hashomer Hatzair movement arrived at a demonstration leading to rioting and police action.