Biden, Bass, Newsom Condemn LA Synagogue Violence
TL/DR –
Violence involving pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israel supporters erupted outside a Los Angeles synagogue, causing fear among community members. The demonstrators were reportedly protesting against a real estate event that promised to provide information on housing projects in Israel. The incident, which involved over 150 people, sparked condemnation from figures including President Biden and Governor Newsom, with Mayor Karen Bass vowing that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.
On Sunday, violence broke out outside a Los Angeles synagogue, Adas Torah, causing fear among community members as clashes occurred between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protestors. Over 150 people gathered in the area and law enforcement struggled to gain control. The LAPD deployed 60 officers to diffuse the situation, according to anonymous sources.
US leaders, including President Biden, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and LA Mayor Karen Bass condemned the clash. Mayor Bass called the violence “abhorrent”, stating, “Los Angeles will not be a harbor for antisemitism and violence”.
One pro-Israeli protestor was arrested for carrying a sharp pole which violates the law. There were several disputes between both sides, with LAPD also investigating two battery allegations.
The pro-Palestinian protestors were reportedly responding to a real estate event, advertised in the Jewish Journal, concerning housing projects in Israel. The event’s flyer criticized land theft, according to an Instagram post by the Palestinian Youth Movement’s Southern California chapter.
Rabbi Yossi Eilfort, present at the synagogue, recalled the protest as a coordinated attack against the community. He described the protestors arriving in large waves, wielding irritant sprays.
Interim LAPD Chief, Dominic Choi, stated they were aware of the protest and had deployed officers based on the size of previous gatherings. A similar protest at a North Hollywood synagogue had only attracted 25 protestors. However, Sunday’s gathering was significantly larger.
Witnesses reported a chaotic scene with officers attempting to prevent protestors from entering the synagogue and conflicts breaking out in the street. Rabbi Hertzel Illulian commented that the protest disrupted their prayers, while Jessica Hyam, owner of a nearby shop, recounted her security guard being pepper sprayed.
The recent conflict in Gaza has sparked numerous protests across the US. The US has traditionally supported Israel’s aims but has shown increasing concern over the rising Palestinian death toll and the resulting humanitarian crisis. According to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory, more than 37,000 Palestinians have died after nine months of Israeli bombings and a ground invasion of Gaza.
Mayor Bass announced she would be meeting with Choi to discuss security measures and other related issues. Other officials, including L.A. Assemblyman Isaac G. Bryan and Sen. Alex Padilla, also condemned the violence.
Local resident Sam Yebri described the targeting of places of worship as a new level of escalation, stating “they knew they would be striking at the heart of Jewish America”.
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